Judaism and women's health.

©FSRH J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2009: 35(1) Jewish law Jewish law consists of two sections: written law and oral law. The foundation of the written law and the origin of its authority is the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. The Torah is traditionally believed to have been given in a theophany on Mount Sinai and to contain the literal direct word of God. After the destruction of the Second Temple, the Pharisees or rabbis promulgated the concept that at the same time as the Torah was given in writing an oral tradition was also given to Moses and this was handed down and eventually written in the Talmud. The oral law is the repository of commentaries on the Bible and the Talmud that continue to be made even to the present day. The oral laws interpret, expand and elucidate the written Torah and regulate new rules and customs according to changing conditions. Rabbis are teachers, not priests, and can only give advice or rule on matters of law. They cannot give dispensation. The ultimate responsibility in ethical matters rests with the individual. Individual rabbis often give different interpretations so that people can choose to consult a rabbi whose views may be more in keeping with their own. Post-Napoleonic Europe and the European Enlightenment brought about an emancipation of Jews from the ghettoes and schisms in the practice of Judaism. The 19th century gave birth to Reform Judaism, particularly in Germany, which stressed the ethical principles of Judaism and not its rituals. This was in juxtaposition to Ultra-Orthodox Judaism, which was more stringent in its practices and beliefs. In between, a Modern Orthodox movement took into account secular studies and incorporated modern lifestyles while sticking to the authority of the Jewish law. These different denominations of Judaism exist at the present time. The Ultra-Orthodox adhere strictly to the letter of the law, the Modern Orthodox keep the law but take into account and participate in modern scientific scholarship. The Reform Orthodox retain many of the values and ethics of Judaism and observe some of the practices but not usually the laws relating to menstruation or procreation. There are also Secular Jews, who identify with the Jewish community and Jewish culture and may keep some of the traditions such as Passover and lighting candles on Friday night but do not adhere to any of the laws. Finally, nowadays there is a substantial group of non-observant Modern Orthodox Jews, who are affiliated with an Orthodox community, but are less stringent in their practices.