Abstract
According to biblical anthropology, human beings are composed of body and soul. The question arises, however, at what moment does the body of the embryo possess a spiritual element? Can the breath of God visit the created and already developing in its own biological rhythm embryo? The key issue here is the moment of animation – the origin of a living being, which is created in the image and likeness of God. This article presents various Jewish points of views on the animation of the human embryo, all of which attempt to determine the exact moment at which the soul is breathed into the human body. Rabbinical authorities distinguish five different moments in this process: conception, the forty first day after conception, the birth of the child, the moment of circumcision and the moment in which the child is able to say “Amen.” The first three mentioned cases have the most supporters. The first refers to the simultaneous animation, while the other theories argue for successive animation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Elpis : czasopismo teologiczne Katedry Teologii Prawosławnej Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
