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| Is a convert allowed to study Torah? |
It is not only permissible but obligatory to instruct a convert in Torah prior to his conversion, so that he is aware of his obligations after conversion and so that he is fully aware of what he is undertaking. |
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| Is a convert allowed to observe Shabbat? |
The Gomorrah says: “A gentile [heathen] who observes a day of rest deserves death”. Hence it used to be customary to tell a convert prior to conversion to desecrate the Sabbath once. |
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| Must a Jewish husband who is married to a non-Jewish wife who lights Shabbat candles for the benefit of their children’s education also light the candles? |
The status of the wife is considered equivalent to that of a young girl practicing mitzvot, which does not exempt her father or mother from fulfilling their own obligations. Hence, the husband must also light the candles and say the blessing. |
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| May a potential convert be used as a “Shabbat goy”? |
In principle this is permissible, since a person who has not yet undergone full conversion is considered equivalent to a gentile, but in fact it is preferable not to do so, since the convert seeks to learn from other Jews how to observe Shabbat, and such a request may be offensive to him. |
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| May a convert wear a tallit katan, wrap himself in a tallit gadol and lay tefillin? |
A gentile may fulfill mitzvot if he has no intention of creating a new religion, and of course it is permissible for a potential convert who is undergoing instruction towards becoming Jewish to fulfill mitzvot which he will be obliged to carry out once he is converted. Therefore, he should be helped to buy a proper tzitzit (fringed garment) and tefillin (phylacteries) and be shown how to wear a tallit and lay tefillin. |
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| May a convert be counted among a minyan (quorum of at least 10 men for the purpose of prayer) or called up to read the Torah, and what are the rules applying to lifting and rolling the Torah and opening the Holy Ark? |
Until conversion is completed, a potential convert is considered a gentile and therefore definitely may not be counted among a minyan or called upon to take part in the Torah reading. If his gentile status is not known in the synagogue, the gabbaim (synagogue treasurers) should be discreetly informed so as to avoid embarrassing the potential convert. |
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| May a convert who has difficulty with Hebrew pray in his mother tongue or is it preferable for him to pray in Hebrew? |
Prayers may be said in any language, but since we wish the convert to be accustomed to praying in a synagogue, it is better to do so in Hebrew. However, if the individual finds Hebrew very difficult, it may be suggested that he pray in his own language when alone and in Hebrew only when in synagogue. |
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| May a convert marry a Jew without any restrictions? |
A convert may marry any Jew except for a Cohen. |
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| May a convert visit his non-Jewish parents’ home? |
It is permitted to visit the parental home, but kashrut and other mitzvot should be observed according to the Torah. |
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| Where there is a variety of Halachic customs or forms of prayer, how should a convert be taught? |
A convert may select for himself the Halachic tenet he wishes to follow, as well as other subjects like prayer. It is best for him to follow the customs of the community to which he is affiliated after his conversion. |
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