The conversion controversy

The May 9 editorial "Rabbinic Ruthlessness" accuses Israel’s Rabbinic Court of Appeals of creating a "shanda" by not "welcoming the convert" — an interpretation of that court’s recent decision invalidating some conversions.

I have no knowledge of the legal intricacies of the cases in question (and suspect that the editorial’s writer is similarly unaware of those details). But one thing can be said with certitude: The imperative to "not oppress the convert" presupposes a conversion. It would be circular and absurd to understand it as some requirement to consider valid any claim to conversion. Jewish religious law, like every system of law, has standards. If the conversion ceremonies at issue did not meet halacha’s standards, there were no conversions.

Again, I am not taking a side on the case at hand. But commentary on the controversy is meaningless if it doesn’t take as a given that conversions to Judaism cannot be effected by wishful thinking, or that "aliyah at a low level," in the editorialist’s words, provides some sort of carte blanche to ignore halachic standards.

What is more, the editorial is grossly in error to attribute the invalidation of the conversions at issue to some lack of "subsequent enforcement." The only grounds for invalidating a conversion are either evidence that the neophyte was not sincere at the time of the ceremony, or evidence that the presiding court did not meet halachic judicial standards.

And finally, nothing in the controversy remotely implies that non-observant Jews are "not worthy of being Jewish." A person born to a Jewish mother or halachically converted (even if later lapsed) is a Jew forever. Even though a person born in our country is an automatic citizen, no matter his behavior, an immigrant seeking citizenship must meet certain criteria of good citizenship. Similarly, while one can be a Jew by birth, to become one by choice entails meeting certain incontrovertible standards.

As it happens, treating halacha cavalierly will only ensure that converts will be viewed with suspicion by halacha-respecting Jews. In the end, only hewing to the standards of Jewish law will ensure that the converts among us will be seen as the courageous, dedicated and beloved Jews they are.

Rabbi Avi Shafran, Director of Public Affairs, Agudath, Israel of America, New York, N.Y.

Rave review

Grace Jacobs, Cliffside Park

Virtual solution to real problem

Would virtual Hebrew school in a Facebook-style format solve the debate about curtailing after-school activities for Hebrew school or curtailing Hebrew School for sports and other after school activities?

It would allow students full access to needed hours of Hebrew studies, at the hours teens are at their best — late at night! Great lectures could be taught by the best professors and archived. Students might just skip the mall to see if that cute boy who is so good at Talmudic Law is logged on tonight. Best of all, students might study more if they knew their photos would be attached to their responses!