I am in favor of unity on this issue. So to the extent that this unified the conversion process is to the extent that I supported it.
The problem is that it left a lot of problems in its wake. Non Jewish Russians could no longer convert so easily. The Chief Rabbinate now required sincere acceptance of Halachca. And they were pretty strict about what that meant.
As an aside things started unraveling in the RCA too after the Freundel affair. They are now reviewing the process.
But more importantly and as stated earlier the Israeli Kenesset last Sunday modified the conversion laws of the state by decentralizing conversions. They will now allow independent conversion courts to do conversions.
This has greatly upset the Chief Rabbinate who has made claims that the new law will generate non Kosher conversions over which the Rabbinate will have no say. And mess up our knowledge of who is really a Jew and who isn’t.
Are they right? I’m not so sure. While I think a standardized policy over conversion process is a good idea that should be persevered, I don’t think decentralization will sabotage future conversions – as long as those independent courts follow Halacha in their conversions. True – it will be harder to monitor those independent courts. But it will not be impossible.
Charges that the new law undermines the Chief Rabbinate and will result in illegitimate conversions do not seem to be correct. For one thing the new bill requires every independent conversion to be signed off by the Rabbinate. So they have the ultimate say in the matter anyway. The new law is silent about the Halachic requirements of conversion. All it does is open up more conversion courts that will not necessarily be part of the Chief Rabbinate. Reform and Conservative conversions were not mentioned at all in this new law. So nothing has changed there. The rules of conversion have not been tampered with by the government.
So why indeed pass such a law if nothing of Halachic significance has changed? It is my understanding that far too many converts were facing unnecessary obstacles by a system over-zealous and understaffed. With the increase in the number of courts comes an expedited and perhaps a more sympathetic conversion process. Looked at this way, I don’t see what all the fuss by the right is all about.
Yes, it may make things a bit more complicated for the Rabbinate. But anything that can expedite a legitimate conversion and make it a more pleasant experience is a good thing. As I have said many times in the past, converts are among the best of us. And they should be treated accordingly. For a better explanation of what this new conversion law is and isn’t – watch the following video of MK Rabbi Dov Lipman who explains it well.