When DOES life begin?

[Bill Tessore]

In light of the panoply of opinions over just when life begins I find a couple of verses in this week's Torah reading from Jeremiah at one revealing and disturbing. Revealing in that the answer is very clearly here in black and white, and disturbing because so many amoung us don't see it.

Jer. 1:4-5
4 "Here is the word of ADONAI that came to me: 5 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I separated you for myself. I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.'" - CJB

For most who are TO it's clear where this puts the "pro-choice" crowd. But how about those who are "pro-life", and yet claim life begins at conception?

Doesn't Jeremiah testify to the contrary here?

Some may argue that Jeremiah was chosen to be a prophet so this is an exceptional case. If so, the what of the acount in Genesis 1:27?

Gen. 1:27 So God created humankind in His own image; in the image of God He created him: male and female He created them."

Since all are descended from these first two, who were created in the image of ADONAI Elohim, then does not not make all equally valued in His sight?

With this line of reasoning is it unrealistic to conclude that at least ADONAI Elohim would stand say life begins with Him, and that conception is simply a conduit for His majestic and blessed gift?

Shabbat Shalom and Shaua Tov

[Arnold Swartland]

A conduit for Yahweh's gift? Yeah! I never thought about it in that way. Toda achi.