Wednesday 27 January 2016

halacha - If a convert goes off the derekh, must he go to the mikvah again after he repents?


A female convert I know, who had stopped observing mitzvos for a few years, but then sought to return to the fold, was led to believe by someone that she would have to go again to the mikvah to confirm her Jewishness. I had never heard that before and now I have reasons for being suspicious of the advice, given its source. Is this halacha?



Answer



Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh Deah 268:12




‏...ואפילו חזר ועבד עבודת כוכבים – הרי הוא כישראל מומר שקידושיו קידושין.‏
ישראל מומר שעשה תשובה – אינו צריך לטבול. רק מדרבנן יש לו לטבול ולקבל עליו דברי חבירות בפני שלושה


...even if the convert returned to worshiping idols -- he is still a Jew such that his marriage proposals are binding.
An apostate Jew who repents -- he does not need to dip [in a Mikva]. Only rabbinicly he should dip [in a Mikva] and accept upon himself words of companionship (?) in front of three [people]. (my translation)



So a custom like that is on the books. But it doesn't mean they aren't Jewish in the meantime. It's a sort of formal "welcome back" ceremony.


You should have her speak to a rabbi to see how her situation compares to this one.


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