Translation:Shulchan Aruch/Yoreh Deah/153

Contains 2 Seif

An idolatrous midwife may not deliver a Jewish woman in private, even if she is an expert. Likewise, she may not nurse the child of a Jew in her own house, even if others are standing by. However, in the house of a Jew, she is permitted to deliver or to nurse, if others are standing by or if people are going in and out, provided that she is not left alone with the child at night.

A Jewish woman may not nurse the child of an idolater, even for payment, (unless she has an abundance of milk and it causes her pain—then she may nurse him; see Mordechai and Agudah, beginning of “Ein Ma’amidin”).

She also may not serve as a midwife for an idolatrous woman, unless she is known to be a professional midwife—then it is permitted, but only for payment and on a weekday.

(It is forbidden to teach an idolater a craft — see Hagahot Asheri ad loc. and the Jerusalem Talmud.)

Notes

See the editor’s note at the beginning of Siman 153.

The concern is that the child of an idolater might become ill or die, and they may falsely accuse the Jewish woman. However, when she acts as a paid midwife, there is no fear of accusation, because a craftsman will not ruin his craft and fears the loss of his wages.

• • All of this is due to the concern of false accusations (ḥashash alilot sheker).