Some of the dayanim of the new alternative beis din for giyur do not demand that conversion candidates adhere to a life of total acceptance of Torah and mitzvos, making due with a general commitment, the daily Haaretz reports. The report explains some of the dayanim do not demand a totally frum lifestyle from one seeking to convert to Judaism.

The report states many rabbonim in both the dati leumi and chareidi communities do not accept such converts and this process not only threatens the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, but is likely to compel checking ones lineage and maintaining a recording of yuchasin of the chareidi population.

Haaretz further explains the lenient position mentioned above is not the “official” position of the beis din, but at least in one case a convert was not compelled to express his commitment to a life of mitzvos. This particular beis din was headed by the Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin, with the participation of Rabbi Chaim Amsellem and Rabbi Yehuda Gilad.

They compel a conversion candidate to declare “I accept upon myself to enter into HKBH’s covenant together with the historic conference of Israel, to be added under the wings of the Divine Presence and to accept the Torah of Judaism which requires a set of mitzvos and continue to grow in this system which leads to a tikun olam”.

These converts however are not compelled to accept upon themselves adherence to ‘taryag mitzvos’.

Rabbi Riskin is quoted explaining he basis himself on the Rambam and earlier poskim, which he explains rule that if the ger at the time of acceptance of mitzvos is aware in his heart that he will not keep all mitzvos because he is weak, this does not compromise his acceptance of mitzvos. As a result, Rabbi Riskin interprets ‘kabolas mitzvos’ in this fashion, that a convert does not have to accept the entire package but he does have to wish to become a member of the community and to adhere to a Jewish life and wish to continue growing in this new community.

Rabbi Riskin adds that a declaration at this stage to keep taryag mitzvos cannot be genuine and he does not believe in things that are not able to be genuine. Haaretz reports many rabbonim are not in agreement with Rabbi Riskin, and this is problematic for converts wishing to be accepted by the broad Jewish community and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

Following the report in Haaretz Rabbi Riskin spoke with the dati leumi “Kippa” website explaining “There is no such thing as converting without accepting mitzvos”, somewhat different from the Haaretz report.

Rabbi Riskin adds “One must accept the language of the Rambam, to enter into the bris of Avraham Avinu and accept the Torah upon himself. He must accept Toras Yahadut that compels a system of mitzvos, both Biblical and Rabbinical. I do not understand. If this is not kabolas mitzvos then I do not understand what kabolas mitzvos means”. The rav stresses there cannot be giyur without kabolas mitzvos and this is clearly written. He stresses the magnitude of the problem, explaining 500,000 immigrants arrived from the Former Soviet Union under the Law of Return and the state must permit them to convert. “I do not step one millimeter from halacha. I invite anyone and everyone to check me” he concluded.

Haaretz adds the beis din has been operating for months and 45 children and adults have already been converted. Since these converts are not recognized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, they were married in keddushin performed by rabbonim affiliated with the new beis din since they cannot register to get married with the Chief Rabbinate, which does not view them as being Jewish.

YWN notes that Chief Rabbi of Efrat Rabbi Shlomo Riskin has previously referred to “J” as a “model Rabbi”, and called him “Rabbi J”. [VIDEO IS BELOW]

Some excerpts of the 5 minute video:

Shalom to all. My name is Shlomo Riskin. I am the Chief rabbi of the City of Efrat…..I am an Orthodox Rabbi…and an Orthodox Rabbi who is very profoundly interested in religion in general, in Christianity, and especially in the persona of Jesus in particular….I was truly fascinated by the personality of Jesus, whom to myself I have always referred to as “Rabbi Jesus”….because I think he is indeed a “model Rabbi” in many counts…and he lived the life of a Jewish Rabbi in Israel in a very critical time in our history…..I have constantly come back to the study of his personality and his teachings which are very strongly rooted in Talmudic teachings…..”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)