Letters to the Editor – Chanukah 5786
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My name is Summer Pitocchelli Schwartzman, and I am a long-time reader of HaMizrachi magazine as well as a member of the Mizrachi-OU JLIC Givat Shmuel community.
Words hold power, and as writers and speakers, we must exercise responsibility in how we use them. This is especially true when writing on behalf of Religious Zionism and its broad international readership – Baruch Hashem!
In your recent Sukkot issue (Vol. 8, No. 5), the word “fertility” was used in two separate instances where “birth rate” appears to have been intended.
In both cases, I believe the term fertility was mistakenly substituted for birth rate. The birth rate refers to the frequency of live births within a population, whereas fertility is a biological term referring to the ability or potential of individuals to conceive.
Beyond this technical distinction lies a world of deep emotional resonance. Fertility is a profoundly sensitive topic within the Jewish experience. As we begin Bereishit, we will soon encounter the stories of our Imahot, who struggled with infertility – Sarah Imeinu was even described as akarah (barren), a term modern Israeli medicine has wisely replaced with more hopeful language. Rashi even interprets this as meaning that Sarah was born without a womb – an extraordinary yet very real medical condition that still occurs today.
These linguistic nuances carry weight – not only in translation but also in how we understand the experiences behind them. Sometimes, akarut is even translated as sterile. Again, this confers a very different meaning than the one suggested by the Hebrew term. The word sterility is used to describe a lack of reproductive ability, but its medical implications differ between men and women. For men, this may involve an absence of viable sperm; for women, a range of complex disorders can affect conception. Yet, with modern advances such as IUI and IVF, many of these challenges can now be overcome.
For women, the correct term is usually infertility, which differs both medically and emotionally from sterility. Until the 1990s, most reproductive research was conducted on men, leaving significant gaps in understanding conditions such as PCOS and endometriosis – both major contributors to infertility that can remain undiagnosed for years. These conditions also affect women well beyond their reproductive years, underscoring the need for accuracy and compassion in how we speak about them.
It would take a far longer letter to unpack why using fertility rates to mean birth rates is not only inaccurate but also risks perpetuating misunderstanding and stigma toward couples struggling to conceive. Reportedly, infertility rates are, in fact, rising globally. In light of this growing reality, clarity and sensitivity are essential – especially in publications that represent Am Yisrael on a global scale.
Please understand this letter in the spirit it is written: a gentle correction, not criticism. Precision in language reflects precision in empathy. Few subjects are closer to the heart of our people than our children.
As we approach Simchat Torah, many communities dance with both the sifrei Torah and their children, celebrating what is most precious to us. Yet for every parent lifting a child during hakafot, there are others watching, praying for the blessing of a neshama of their very own to raise l’Torah u’l’chuppah u’l’ma’asim tovim.
May the coming year bring greater sensitivity to all who struggle within our communities – and may their prayers be answered speedily.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Summer Pitocchelli Schwartzman