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Against Medical Orders

Rabbi Cohen Saves Triplets From Abortion Order

Doctors urged selective reduction of triplet pregnancy • Rabbi Yigal Cohen ruled to continue, family welcomed three healthy daughters | The emotional reunion (Jewish World)

Rabbi Cohen with the triplets

Nearly a year ago, a frantic phone call reached the office of Rabbi Yigal Cohen, head of the Yabia Omer institutions and member of Israel's Chief Rabbinate Council. A woman, pregnant with triplets, had just received unequivocal medical advice: selectively reduce two of the embryos to protect her health and give the remaining fetus a better chance of survival.

The couple faced an impossible choice. Medical professionals painted a grim picture of the risks associated with carrying all three babies to term. But the woman, deeply troubled by the prospect of terminating any part of her pregnancy, turned to Rabbi Cohen for guidance on what Jewish law and faith demanded in such a harrowing situation.

Rabbi Cohen, known for his work in outreach and his compassionate approach to complex halachic questions, immediately launched into action alongside his personal assistant, Shimon Bardy. The rabbi consulted with leading medical specialists and fertility experts, cross-referencing the clinical data with halachic precedent. After thorough investigation, he delivered his ruling: the pregnancy would continue intact. All three babies would be given their chance at life.

Miracle triplets and their parents visit Rabbi Cohen
Miracle triplets and their parents visit Rabbi Cohen (Photo: Eran Chen)

The couple accepted the rabbi's decision wholeheartedly, placing their trust in both divine providence and Rabbi Cohen's judgment. Throughout the pregnancy, Bardy maintained constant contact with the expectant mother, providing updates to the rabbi at every stage. The family received ongoing spiritual support and practical guidance as they navigated the medical complexities of a high-risk triplet pregnancy.

Four months ago, the outcome vindicated Rabbi Cohen's faith-driven decision. The woman gave birth to three healthy, beautiful daughters. The joy that flooded the family was immeasurable — three lives that medical professionals had recommended terminating were now thriving, each one a testament to the power of conviction in the face of clinical certainty.

In recent days, the parents went to visit Rabbi Cohen, carrying their three infant daughters. The reunion was charged with emotion as the family expressed their profound gratitude to the rabbi and to Bardy for the unwavering support throughout the ordeal. Witnesses described the meeting as deeply moving, with tears flowing freely as Rabbi Cohen held the babies he had fought to protect.

Rabbi Cohen with the triplets
Rabbi Cohen with the triplets (Photo: Eran Chen)

The decision carried particular resonance for Rabbi Cohen, whose own family history informed his approach to such cases. Years earlier, his daughter faced a severe fetal heart defect during pregnancy. Medical professionals warned the family of the grave risks and recommended termination. But with the blessing of the revered Kabbalist Rabbi David Abuchatzeira, the pregnancy continued. Today, that child serves as a living inspiration — not only to Rabbi Cohen's family but to countless others facing similar agonizing choices.

That personal experience has shaped Rabbi Cohen's pastoral work, giving him both the moral authority and the emotional depth to guide families through medical crises that intersect with questions of faith. His willingness to challenge medical consensus when halachic principles are at stake has made him a sought-after voice for families navigating the intersection of modern medicine and Jewish law.

The triplets' story joins a growing number of cases where Rabbi Cohen's rulings have resulted in what families describe as miraculous outcomes. His approach combines rigorous consultation with medical experts, deep knowledge of halachic sources, and an unwavering belief in the sanctity of life — even when that belief runs counter to prevailing medical opinion.

For the parents of the three baby girls, the journey from that initial devastating medical recommendation to the joyful reunion with Rabbi Cohen represents more than a personal victory. It stands as a powerful testament to the role of faith-based decision-making in an era dominated by clinical risk assessment and medical authority. The three healthy infants, now four months old, embody the possibility that sometimes the path less recommended leads to the most profound blessings.

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