on my abortion, miscarriage, jewish law and judginess

*Except that it’s a little weepy, I SWEAR that it is safe to read this comment. Ignore the snot.

Three founders of Mayyim Hayyim, a Massachusetts mikveh, wrote a ceremony to help women work through the decision “to interrupt the promise of life.” (The writers are a poet, a psychologist, and a rabbi.) The ritual opens with a kavannah—the “intention” by which a person prepares herself to do a mitzvah in the fullness of her heart.

*sobs*
Oh, my GOODNESS, how lovely to acknowledge that sometimes — sometimes, it’s just for the best, and it’s a deliberate interruption of a Thing that just could not be. I am overwhelmed. What a world it COULD be if everyone practiced this compassion on their own choices, and allowed that compassion to rule their view of everyone’s choices.

You don’t want to hear this, but you are brave.

Wow. I don’t think I can adequately describe the impact this piece has had on me. Having made the same choice in nearly identical circumstances – yet under the shadow of a Catholic upbringing- I find your words both heart-wrenching and soul-soothing. Thank you thank you thank you for the courage it took to write this!