A true convert enriches us. A quickie convert diminishes us

Having served as rav in Atlanta, Georgia, for over 40 years, I have interacted regularly with Reform and Conservative rabbis. Although there were huge religious barriers between us, our relationship was menschlich. They knew where I stood, and I knew where they stood. Specifically, they knew that I could not accept their converts as Jews, and they respected that. No accusations, no resentments.

They realized that my non-acceptance of their conversions had zero connection to turf or to politics. It was simply because their conversions were not done in accordance with classical halachah, which requires that a potential convert, after a serious course of study of Judaism, commit to become an observant Jew. That is to say, he sincerely accepts the dominion of the One G-d as opposed to a trinity or duality, and commits to the observance of mitzvos such as Shabbos, kashrus, and taharas hamishpachah. Beyond this, of course, the conversion process must include immersion in a proper mikveh, and for male candidates, some form of circumcision.

Reform conversion procedures demanded very little: attendance at weekly group classes on Judaism for several months, followed by signing a declaration to be a loyal member of the Jewish People, and acceptance of a “Jewish way of life.” Most Reform conversions did not require circumcision or immersion in a mikveh, much less a mitzvah commitment. Conservative conversions, though not as radically loose as the Reform, also cut many halachic corners — which is why their movement is often labeled “Reform with a yarmulke.”

Not only could I not accept their converts, I also could not accept as candidates for conversion most of those who asked me to do an Orthodox conversion. The vast majority of these requests — over 95% — had as their primary purpose the papering over of an intermarriage. It was not the love of G-d of the Jews that motivated them, but the love of a Jewish mate. Many Jewish parents pushed me to do such conversions in the fond hope of avoiding the stigma of having a child who had married “out.” (Yes, there was a time when marrying out of the faith carried with it a stigma…)

In addition, many candidates were not aware that joining the Jewish People was not like changing a suit of clothing, but entailed a deep desire to be part of our covenant with the Creator by committing to observe sacred mitzvos, and thus to join the spiritual trek that goes back to Sinai and beyond. In their innocence, many thought that the major difference between Judaism and Christianity was that Jews had Chanukah instead of Xmas, and that before eating a festive Friday night dinner, we lit candles — clearly not hard to be a Jew…. Obviously, I rarely did any conversions.

Having retired to Israel decades ago, I thought all this was behind me. But with the Israel High Court’s recent ruling — that non-Orthodox conversions in Israel entitle the converts to Israeli citizenship like full-fledged Jews — I have feelings of déjà vu.

This overreaching judiciary claims that it is ruling on a matter of civil rights, not on a religious issue. This is casuistry. Conversion to Judaism is clearly a religious issue, no matter how obfuscated with legalese. Isaiah 1:12 comes to mind: “Who asked you to trample on My courtyards…” An impartial court would have recused itself.

But they are obviously not impartial. Perhaps there lurks here a hidden agenda: an attempt to weaken what is called an Orthodox “monopoly” in areas of marriage, divorce, and conversion by helping non-Orthodox groups gain a stronger beachhead in Israel.

The efforts of these non-Orthodox groups to establish themselves in Israel is risible. In America, they truly believed that by abandoning halachah, they would save Judaism and revive a moribund Jewish life. Tragically, their efforts to modernize Torah backfired. Their congregants assimilated, intermarried, or in some cases found fulfillment in a surprisingly revitalized Orthodoxy.

The passionate objection in Israel to Reform and Conservative conversions derives from neither politics nor an Orthodox power grab. It is simply that, as my own eyes have witnessed, those conversion procedures are frivolous. Judaism welcomes sincere converts. My synagogue in Atlanta had several such converts, each one practicing Judaism enthusiastically. A true convert enriches us. A quickie convert diminishes us.

Reform and Conservative Jews are certainly Jews. But their converts — even when well-meaning — cannot be considered as Jews. As Lincoln memorably remarked: “How many legs does a horse have if you call his tail a leg? Four. Because calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg.” Non-halachic converts cannot be called Jews just because the Court calls them Jews.

Unfortunately, the Israeli judiciary and media lack the elementary respect for halachah that the non-Orthodox rabbis in Atlanta displayed.—

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 856)