Calling a Tail a Leg

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…)