Motherhood & Surrogacy

Rav Moshe was visiting a hospital in New York. One of the head physicians approached Rav Michoel Sorotzkin requesting that he ask Rav Moshe to reveal how the Torah assesses motherhood in the context of surrogacy. Rav Moshe responded that surrogacy is implicitly addressed in a verse that is part of the classic liturgy of a bris ceremony. King Solomon proclaims, “Your father and mother shall rejoice, she who bore you shall exult! (Proverbs 23:25)”. The roles of mother and birth mother are typically fulfilled by the same individual, but nonetheless differentiated because this is not necessarily the case. Rav Moshe elucidated that the father and mother are determined by their genetic contributions to the baby, and there is an additional contribution made by the one who carries the baby to term. Her nurturing impact undoubtedly molds the development of this budding new life, entitling her to exult, although her role is distinct from the role of the mother. If you are looking for a mohel for your baby, please reach out; I'd be delighted to assist.