[Avodah] Geirut - QOM, Geirei Arayot and Rambam

[Micha Berger via Avodah]

Reviving an 8 yr old thread to share a recent Torah Musings article.
http://www.torahmusings.com/2016/10/insincere-conversions


Torah Musings

Insincere Conversions
Posted by: Aharon Ziegler in Halakhic Positions, Posts
Oct 14, 16

Halakhic Positions of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik

The Rambam in Hilchot Issurei Biaah (13:17) writes "A convert who was
not examined or who was not informed about the commandments and the
punishments [for transgressing them], but was circumcised and immersed
in the presence of three laymen, is deemed a [valid] convert."

Rav Soloveitchik commented that the Rambam does not mean to say that a
person who converted with the intention of not observing the mitzvot is
deemed a valid convert. Such a notion would subvert the entire concept
of conversion and the holiness of Israel, which exhausts itself in our
obligation to fulfill G-d's commandments.

The Rambam's position is that acceptance of the mitzvot, unlike immersion,
does not constitute a distinct act in the process of conversion that would
require the presence of a beit din. Rather, acceptance of the commandments
is a defining feature of the conversion process that must be undergone
for the sake of fulfilling the commandments. Therefore, the Rav concluded
that if we know that the convert, at the time of immersion, is willing
to accept the "Ol Malchut Shamayim," the yoke of Heaven, the immersion
effects conversion even though there was no special act of informing
the convert about the commandments and his consenting to fulfill them,
since the convert intends to live the holy life as an observant Jew.