With an alarming number of fraudulent conversions and dayanim being misled into erroneous approaches, the Rabbinical Center of Europe (RCE) took up the challenge to provide informative insights and rulings from halachic authorities, with a special emphasis on the Rebbe’s directives for Giyur Kahalacha-Mihu Yehudi.
By Anash.org reporter
In light of the critical need stemming from the spread of new and erroneous approaches to conversion, which have misled even certain rabbis and dayanim worldwide engaged in conversion matters, as well as due to the alarming number of fraudulent conversions being conducted globally, the Rabbinical Center of Europe (RCE) has taken up the challenge.
Under the editorial guidance of Rabbi Shmuel Elazar Nissilevitch, a member of the Center, they have now published, in magnificent quality, a comprehensive set of volumes spanning over 2,000 pages titled “HaMavdil Bein Yisrael LaAmim – Conversion in Accordance with Halacha.” This monumental work is meticulously organized into fifty chapters, presenting a clear and systematic collection of rulings and insights from the greatest halachic authorities. Special emphasis is placed on the Rebbe’s directives and definitions regarding halachic conversion for both adults and minors.
The topic is of particular importance in light of recent publications by organizations in Eretz Yisrael advocating for the continued mass immigration of hundreds of thousands of non-Jews to Israel and their “conversions.” These groups portray this as a fulfillment of kibutz galiyos (the ingathering of exiles) and the beginning of redemption (as’chalta d’geulah). Furthermore, they have introduced a novel halachic category for non-Jews with a Jewish father or grandfather to convert them without kabolas mitzvos.
Some have attacked or distorted the Rebbe’s words and efforts in safeguarding proper conversion standards and preventing the mass importation of such non-Jews to Eretz Yisrael. These efforts include deliberate misrepresentation of historical events, such as the “Vienna Conversions,” as well as omissions of the Rebbe’s words that contradict their agenda. They have also cast aspersions on the rulings of esteemed halachic authorities cited by the Rebbe, dismissing them as misunderstandings of the early sources, and promoting interpretations that deviate from halachic tradition, as noted by luminaries like Rav Ovadia Yosef.
A dedicated volume addresses the complex and unprecedented questions of Jewish lineage in our generation, particularly those arising from modern reproductive technologies. The book provides a systematic presentation of the opinions of leading halachic authorities on both the procedures themselves and the implications for halachic conversion. Additionally, the set includes a pamphlet compiling letters from prominent rabbis, published by the World Rabbinical Committee for Conversion under the leadership of Rabbi Nachum Eisenstein, alongside letters from rabbinic leaders and poskim from various circles received by the Rabbinical Center of Europe.
The book includes contributions and piskei dinim from a distinguished array of rabbinic authorities from Eretz Yisrael, such as Harav Asher Weiss, Gaavad and Rosh Yeshiva of Darchei Torah; Harav Shmuel Eliezer Stern, Rabbi of West Bnei Brak and author of Gerus KeHalacha; Harav Yitzchak Zilberstein, Rabbi of Ramat Elchanan, Bnei Brak; Harav Moshe Sternbuch, Raavad of the Edah HaChareidis and author of Teshuvos VeHanhagos; Harav Chaim Yitzchak Eizik Landau, rov of Bnei Brak; Harav Moshe Shaul Klein, Dayan in the Beis Din of Rabbi Shmuel Wosner and Rabbi of the Ohr HaChaim neighborhood in Bnei Brak; Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef; Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar; and Chabad Rabbanim such as Harav Yitzchak Yehuda Yaroslavsky, Harav Moshe Havlin, Harav Yekusiel Farkash; Harav Yosef Simcha Ginzburg; and Harav Gedalia Axelrod.
The sefer also includes contributions and piskei dinim from rabbinic authorities in Chutz La’aretz, such as Harav Shlomo Eliyahu Miller, Rosh Kollel and Av Beit Din in Toronto, and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America; Harav Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva of RIETS – Yeshiva University; Harav Avraham Osdoba and Harav Yosef Yeshaya Braun of Crown Heights; Harav Gedalya Oberlander of Kingston, PA; Harav Yosef Yitzchak Feigelstock of Argentina; and many others.
The book also features an appendix with a historical overview of the outcry and efforts of Gedolei Yisrael over the past century against the rise of fraudulent conversions. It details the Rebbe’s initiatives and those of the Vaad LeMaan Shleimus HaAm during the Vienna conversion controversy and other episodes.
The RCE leadership penned a letter to European rabbis, stating: “This vital work is truly ‘a word spoken at the right time.’ Unfortunately, the matter of conversion has been breached by unscrupulous individuals conducting mass conversions, particularly in Europe. The Rabbinical Center of Europe has long made it its mission to address these grave breaches, heeding the call of the Rebbe, who tirelessly and self-sacrificingly fought to preserve the sanctity and integrity of the Jewish people.”
The volumes bear enthusiastic haskamos from leading rabbonim, emphasizing the necessity and urgency of this publication. They extol the clarity and accessibility of the work, making it an invaluable resource for every rabbi and halachic authority.
The book is now available for purchase at Kehos, other select bookstores, and online. To purchase from Kehos online, click here.
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