DANIEL SCHIFF

As Bettan points out, progressive Jews do not believe that the"end justifies the means," and hence the worthy goal of seeking to diminish sex selection abortions or confine overly large populations does not ipso facto bestow blessing on sex preselection. Progressive Judaism , therefore, would not be tolerant of any sex preselection measures which would lead to either dramatic societal disturbance or subtle subjugation of females or males. In this respect, progressive Judaism would find itself in complete agreement with the traditionalist view that"tampering with natural processes in a manner which would lead to social upheaval and unrest is contrary to the public policy advocated by Jewish teaching."**

Even if, however, no appreciable untoward societal effects were to be forthcoming, there are other Jewish ideals which could propel progressive Jews to temper approval of sperm separation sex preselection. Qedushah is one such mandate. It is clear that the technique of sperm separation unavoidably breaks the nexus between conception and marital sexual intercourse. For if sperm separation is to be successful as a sex

preselection method, intercourse must take place without conception, and conception must take place without intercourse. But Reform Judaism has pronounced marital intercourse to be a cherished mitzvah:"It is a mitzvah for a man and a woman, joined together in Qiddushin, to take pleasure in sexual union..."* Indeed the gedushah which flows from this mitzvah is made absolutely lucid by the words of Nachmanides ' Iggeret Ha-Qodesh which are quoted in the same Reform text:"Intercourse is a holy and pure thing when done in an appropriate way, in an appropriate time, and with appropriate intention..."** There is, moreover, no doubt that progressive Judaism would also fully endorse what Ramban has to say in the continuation of the same letter:

The union of man with his wife, when it is proper, is the mystery of the foundation of the world and civilization. Through this act they become partners with God in the work of creation. This is the mystery of what the sages said,"When a man unites with his wife in holiness, the

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