Conversion: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
→Conversion for Marriage
| Line 47: | Line 47: | ||
==Conversion for Marriage== | ==Conversion for Marriage== | ||
#Initially a bet din may not convert for marriage but after the fact it is acceptable.<ref>Yevamot 24b</ref> | #Initially a bet din may not convert for marriage but after the fact it is acceptable.<ref>Yevamot 24b. The Ritva writes that it is acceptable after the fact because of the extenuating circumstance of wanting to get married they decided to convert and that is binding. Hagahot Mordechai (Yevamot 4:101 s.v. katuv) seems to write that it is valid only if afterwards we see that they keep Judaism properly.</ref> | ||
#Even in a circumstance where it is permitted to convert for marriage, the Bet Din should be vigilant in checking and ensuring that the convert for marriage accepts the mitzvot completely.<ref>Igrot Moshe YD 1:159 notes that since many who convert for marriage don't really accept mitzvot one should be very weary of accepting such a convert. He says that the majority of converts for marriage in the 1950s in America are invalid because they didn't actually accept mitzvot.</ref> | #Even in a circumstance where it is permitted to convert for marriage, the Bet Din should be vigilant in checking and ensuring that the convert for marriage accepts the mitzvot completely.<ref>Igrot Moshe YD 1:159 notes that since many who convert for marriage don't really accept mitzvot one should be very weary of accepting such a convert. He says that the majority of converts for marriage in the 1950s in America are invalid because they didn't actually accept mitzvot.</ref> | ||
#The din should investigate why the convert is converting and only accept him if his intentions are pure or bet din can assess that they will become pure.<ref>Achiezer 3:27 explains that the halacha that we check for the intentions didn't stop applying. The bet din has to decide if he's doing it for pure intent or for marriage or any other reason in which case they shouldn't accept him. If they can assess the situation and think that he will eventually accept Torah for pure intent it is acceptable to accept him even if his original intentions aren't pure. Achiezer 3:26:2 suggests that if it is evident to the bet din that his intent isn't pure then they can't accept the convert initially. However, if it isn't clear even after investigation then they can.</ref> | #The bet din should investigate why the convert is converting and only accept him if his intentions are pure or bet din can assess that they will become pure.<ref>Achiezer 3:27 explains that the halacha that we check for the intentions didn't stop applying. The bet din has to decide if he's doing it for pure intent or for marriage or any other reason in which case they shouldn't accept him. If they can assess the situation and think that he will eventually accept Torah for pure intent it is acceptable to accept him even if his original intentions aren't pure. Achiezer 3:26:2 suggests that if it is evident to the bet din that his intent isn't pure then they can't accept the convert initially. However, if it isn't clear even after investigation then they can.</ref> | ||
#Some poskim hold that it isn't considered for marriage if either way they're going to continue to stay married even though she remains non-Jewish.<ref>Achiezer 3:26:7</ref> | #Some poskim hold that it isn't considered for marriage if either way they're going to continue to stay married even though she remains non-Jewish.<ref>Achiezer 3:26:7</ref> | ||
#Also, according to the decision of the bet din it is possible to accept a convert for marriage if the consequences are that potentially the husband might be turned away if his "wife" can't convert.<ref>Achiezer 3:26:7 based on Rav Shlomo Kluger</ref> | #Also, according to the decision of the bet din it is possible to accept a convert for marriage if the consequences are that potentially the husband might be turned away if his "wife" can't convert.<ref>Achiezer 3:26:7 based on Rav Shlomo Kluger</ref> | ||
