PROSPECTIVE CONVERT WHO FEARS CIRCUMCISION

Walter Jacob

QUESTION: Is there any precedent in the halakah for a prospective convert who fears circumcision to avoid it? Similarly, is there a precedent for a prospective convert who has a deeply-rooted fear of water? Must he/she proceed with the requirement for Miqveh ? (Rabbi Lawrence A. Englander, Mississauga , Ontario )*

ANSWER: The traditional requirements for conversion are clear(B. Yev. 46, 47; Shulhan Arukh, Yoreh Deah 268; Yad, Hil. Issurei Biah 15). A court of three is necessary, and prospective converts must be warned that they are joining a persecuted community and that many new obligations will be incumbent upon them. In the days when the Temple stood, they were to bring a sacrifice, take a ritual bath, and-in the case of males-be circumcised. To this day, the requirements of a Bet Din, Tevilah, and Berit remain for traditional Jews . Sources are clear on the requirements, but considerable discussion about them exists in the Talmud . For example, R. Eliezer stated that if a prospective male convert was circumcised or took a ritual bath, he was considered a proselyte. R. Joshua insisted on bath, and his point of view was adopted(Yev. 46b). Hillel and Shammai disagreed about a prospective male convert who was already circumcised. Bet Shammai insisted that blood must be drawn from him, while Bet Hillel stated that one may simply accept the circumcision without drawing blood(Shab. 135a). The Rabbinic authorities decided in favor of Bet Shamma(Shulhan Arukh, Yoreh Deah 268.1; Yad, Hil. Issurei Biah 14.5). Clearly, there were differences of opinion about the steps necessary for the ritual conversion in ancient times. As is well known, the Talmud also contains a variety of opinions about the desirability of accepting converts. These reflect the historic competition with Christianity , persecution , etc. in the early centuries of our era.

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