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The fetus and fertility : essays and responsa / edited by Walter Jacob and Moshe Zemer
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SOLOMON B. FREEHOF

makes it clear that a hysterectomy must not prevent normal sexual relationships because in Jewish law a wife has the right not to be ignored in this regard.

Let me explain further the statement above that as long as the intercourse is normal, and there is no artificial barrier inserted into the womb before intercourse, there is no committing of the sin of"seed spilling." Even the rule in this matter offers some additional support to our conclusion with regard to a hysterectomy. Normally the law would prohibit the insertion of an obstacle(such as a diaphragm) before intercourse because that would result in what would be deemed"spilling the seed." But the law cited in a number of places(especially in Yevamot 12b) is that three classes of women- a minor, a nursing mother, and a woman already pregnant- may insert such obstacles before intercourse. In fact, Rabbenu Tam goes further than Rashi and says that these three women not only may use the obstacle, they should do so( cf. Tosfot ad loc.). So it is evident that there are many cases in which, during normal intercourse, the so-called spilling of seed is ignored. This applies clearly in a case of hysterectomy.

*Solomon B. Freehof , Reform Responsa for Our Time, Hebrew Union College Press, 1977,#45.