CCAR RESPONSA
Contemporary American Reform Responsa
46. Privacy of a Convert
QUESTION: The
congregation keeps a public register in its library of all the life cycle events such as birth,
Bar/Bat mitzvah, confirmations, marriages, and deaths. All conversions are also included.
Does such a public register of conversions invade the privacy of the convert? Is it appropriate to
maintain it in the congregational library? (Rabbi J. Edelstein, Monroeville,
PA)ANSWER: Conversion in Judaism is a public rite conducted before a court of
three (Yeb. 47b; Yad Hil. Issurei Biah 13.14, Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 268,
269). Such requirements obviously makes it initially a public act and assures proper status in the
community for the convert. We, however, are concerned with the sensitivity of converts at a later
time. Two discussions provide some insight into this question. All converts receive a Hebrew
name. Although nothing is said about this in the major codes, it has become a general custom.
New male converts are generally named “the son of Abraham”; Abraham is considered the father
of all proselytes (Tanhuma Lekh Lekha 32, ed. Buber). Although this custom is frequently
followed (Shulhan Arukh Even Haezer 129.20; Felder, Nahalat Tzevi 1.31, 124), it
is not mandatory, nor is anything said about naming female proselytes, although we often name
them “the daughter of Ruth,” the most famous Biblical female proselyte. As such names are
publicly used particularly in the Torah service, they are a public reminder of
conversion. We should also remember that individuals who are converted as infants
may be given the opportunity to determine their own religious status at the age of maturity
(Bar Mitzvah for boys and slightly earlier for girls). They may reject Judaism without
prejudice, if they wish (Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 268.7). This has made it necessary for
the status of young convert to be remembered. Traditionally, there have also been some matters
of marriage law which specifically involve converts. They have been given broader latitude about
whom they may marry, and this includes individuals of doubtful descent (Kid. 72b; Shulhan
Arukh Even Haezer 4.22). In this discussion, tradition has stated that this special status
would continue until the tenth generation, or until the fact that “the family stemmed from a
proselyte had been forgotten.” A number of famous individuals have been specifically recalled as
proselytes (Adiabne and Antipater in Josephus Antiquities XX 2; Onkelos in Meg. 3a;
etc.) Conversion to Judaism remains public knowledge. However, there is no intent to
embarrass the convert. It would, therefore, be proper to have a public register of all life cycle
events and conversions in the congregational library, yet it should be placed in such a way that it
will not be used simply to satisfy idle curiosity.February 1984
If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.