Conversion to Judaism for mentally disabled

[Bezant]

How does this process go? Is the convert in this instance treated as a minor?

Thanks

 

[meltzerboy]

How does this process go? Is the convert in this instance treated as a minor?

Thanks

The process doesn’t go, at least not in Orthodox circles. I believe most Orthodox Rabbis would agree that a mentally disabled person may not be competent enough to understand what they’re responsible for once they become Jewish. By Law, a person who is mentally unsound is not responsible for following the Torah commandments if they have little or no understanding of what they mean. Therefore, such a conversion would not make sense. IOW, they may as well remain in the current faith (or non-faith) of their family. All they would be required to do in this case is the same as any other Gentile, which is to follow the Seven Laws of Noah. The decision regarding the level of their mental awareness and competence would be made by a rabbinical board in conjunction with a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.

BTW, even a person who is not at all mentally disturbed is cautioned by a rabbi three times before the conversion process begins, concerning the challenging task involved in converting to Judaism and how difficult it is to be an observant Jew.

 

[Suslar]

BTW, even a person who is not at all mentally disturbed is **cautioned by a rabbi three times **before the conversion process begins, concerning the challenging task involved in converting to Judaism and how difficult it is to be an observant Jew.

I once heard this asking three times is to ensure the convert is there by free choice. . . that agreeing the first time could have been a fluke, and agreeing a second time could have been an error, but by consenting three times, you can be pretty sure the person agrees. Is that right?

 

[meltzerboy]

I once heard this asking three times is to ensure the convert is there by free choice. . . that agreeing the first time could have been a fluke, and agreeing a second time could have been an error, but by consenting three times, you can be pretty sure the person agrees. Is that right?

I think it has something to do with the individual’s sincerity; but also with their understanding that being Jewish is not easy from a religious standpoint as well as a social one. In addition, there is Biblical precedence since Naomi asked Ruth to return to her own people three times before accepting her sincerity to be a Jew.