WALTER JACOB

The Rabbinic injunction that conversion be carried out before Bet Din which shall consist of three members(Yev. 46b) makes it clear that this act, although basically religious in nature, is a legal transaction. Therefore, all of the above statements would be applicable. A person who proved to be mentally incompetent, but had been converted to Judaism , is accepted bediavad, but certainly not lehat-hila.

As a complete understanding of all aspects of Judaism is necessary for a sincere and complete conversion, such prospective converts must be of sound mind and mentally competent. We cannot accept individuals who do not meet these prerequisites.

*Walter Jacob , American Reform Responsa, New York , 1983,#67.