Contraception in Contemporary Orthodox Judaism

the feeling that the general undeniably negative attitude about
contraception that exists within the orthodox world is due to
something other than the rather vague problem of delaying
procreation.
The Hashkafa of Contraception
It would seem reasonable that the negative attitude is based upon the
hashkafa underlying the statement of Rabbi Yehoshua from Yavamos
62b quoted earlier in this article: “If a man had children when he was
young, he should have children when he is old; as it says – ‘In the
morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not rest your hand’
(Koheles 11:6). For you do not know which of the children will be
better”. While it may be true that this statement ultimately imposed
no halachic obligations on a man, there is no question that it
emphatically suggests the proper attitude towards bearing children.
Rambam’s interesting spin on this statement strengthens the idea:
‘since anyone who adds one Jewish soul to the world is considered as
if he has built a world’. The Tur (Even Haezer 1) takes it one step
further and states that procreation is the very purpose of the creation
of man.
An overwhelmingly positive attitude towards bearing and raising
children has always been a cornerstone of Judaism. Historically, it has
rivaled such fundamentals as belief in G-d and observance of the
Torah in terms of emotional importance. Modern forms of
contraception represent an unprecedented threat to this longstanding
tradition. Never before has there been such an option that
largely complies with the letter of the law and yet misses entirely the
spirit of the law. The moch, according to many opinions, was a grave
violation of halacha. The rhythm method, while permitted in terms of
halacha, was never a threat to procreation. The pill and the IUD are
both largely problem-free in terms of halacha but stand in potential
direct conflict to procreation and the hashkafa associated with it.