[Avodah] Stam yeinam of Giyur Candidates

[Michael Makovi]

> Are these people following the halachot of amira l'akum correctly to
> begin with, or do they see it as a loophole large enough to drive a
> truck through? Amira l'akum is an area of halacha that I'm scared to
> touch or take advantage of because it's so easily abused.

Good question. I don't know.

To use a gentile, a pureblood gentile, is a real serious question of
amira l'akum. But to use someone doing giyur is moreover an averah
bein adam l'havero.

As for using yayin mevushal: the problem is that students bring in
their own wine on Shabbat, and the rabbis aren't around to say
anything. Actually, the rabbis aren't very concerned with the shame
caused to the giyur candidates. (Believe you me, the candidates DO
feel great shame at this, but no one but them seems to care. Even the
rabbis don't seem to care when I discuss this with them. I never said
I like the rabbis at my yeshiva.)

Michael Makovi