JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A 46-year-old Israeli widow gave birth on Chanuka to a son who is the progeny of her husband despite him having died over four years ago.
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The woman, Sharon Alon Twitto, had been trying to conceive with her husband Sagi when he died suddenly in March 2018 of a heart attack. On the day of his death, Sharon travelled to the Haifa Magistrates court to obtain a court order which would allow her to obtain sperm from her late husband so that she could in the future realize their dream of having a joint child.
After the court gave its authorization, an operation was performed to remove the sperm which was taken to a lab for preservation. Sharon however required the authorization of the court to use the sperm and this meant a legal battle for over a year. During the course of this period, Sharon switched careers, moving from a successful position in a medical equipment company to interior designing. Sharon opened a studio, naming it Studio Saga in memory of her husband.
In May 2022 Sharon found out that she was pregnant, and the high-risk pregnancy was monitored by Prof. Rinat Gabai Ben-Ziv, head of the Hillel Yaffe hospital’s maternity department. Due to her high blood pressure, Prof. Ben Ziv advanced the birth which took place on Chanukah via C-section. A healthy 3 kg son was born to Sharon.
Sharon said afterwards that “I had an amazing and emotional birth experience, I had a team which are devoted and caring and made me feel in good hands. The fact that I gave birth on Chanukah is a sign of my personal victory in my battle to bring a child to the world. I am sure that Sagi is looking on from above with great pride.”
If you are looking into Halachic considerations, obtaining sperm from a corpse would likely be an invasive procedure and therefore Bizuy Hames.
so does she remain zakuk liyavam?
Ill be honest. I think this is pretty selfish. Imagine the emabrrasment that kid will have. He will always be a child “born in a lab”. I dont think its fair to bring a child in the world like that
If this is true, it’s major bizayon hameis
most likely zera was taken before meesah , i dont think a goses can be motzee much less a meis , see also rav bleich sefer for a discussion on a similar situation
today young people going thru chemo for certain types of machlos , put away zera pre chemo/ radiation to use later if nec. refua shleima
It would be fascinating to discuss halachic ramifications. For example, one could argue in this case that the son himself is chayiv kares if he doesn’t perform milah before age 20. Usually, it’s the father.
If the father was a kohen is he one?
So we’re just being mefarsem the aveiros of random yidden, tinukei she’nishba? Who said IVF is mutar? With a Jewish man as well where there’s a sofek mamzeros? We just don’t care what Rav Moshe wrote anymore.
Not appropriate to put all the intimate details here.
An in line with lots of sugyos in gemora, she named him Shtuki.