EXOD586 There are numerous sources that seemed to be in conflict with regard to answering the question of whether or not the fetus is considered a human life and, therefore, if an abortion is the equivalent of murder. A simple reading of the Torah verse involving a pregnant woman whose fetus is accidentally killed in a dispute between two people shows that a fetus is considered to be personal property rather than human life. In that case, when the loss of the fetus was caused accidentally, the Torah merely tells the culpable person to pay damages based on a certain formula of the value of the fetus. There is not even any hint of murder or immoral behavior, and payment for damages is all that is required. If the fetus were considered mere property of the mother, it certainly would be permitted to get pregnant in order to save the life of the father of the fetus. However, other sources make the status of that fetus much more complicated. (See. e.g. Genesis 9:6; Sanhedrin 40b; Maimonides, Hilchot Melachim 1:4; Mishna Ohalot 7:6)