2,165. How Candidates for Conversion Are Evaluated

Hilchos Issurei Biah 14:1

The process of accepting a righteous convert is as follows: when a non-Jew comes to convert, we do a background check. If we don’t find an ulterior motive to convert, we ask him, “Why do you want to convert? Don't you know that nowadays, Jews are afflicted, oppressed and suffering?” If he says, “I know but I still want to join them,” he is immediately accepted.

Hilchos Issurei Biah 14:2

We tell the potential convert the basics of Judaism, such as God’s unity and the prohibition against idolatry. We elaborate on these principles. We also tell the candidate about some easy mitzvos and some difficult mitzvos. We don’t go into detail on these. We tell him about the sin of failing to leave gleanings, forgotten sheaves and the corners of a field, as well as about second tithe. We also tell him the punishments for violating the mitzvos. “Before you became Jewish, if you ate certain fats, you weren’t liable to spiritual excision. If you violated Shabbos, you weren’t liable to stoning. Now, after you convert, if you eat those fats, you’re liable to spiritual excision. If you violate Shabbos, you’re liable to stoning.” We don’t go into all the details so as not to scare him away from following a good path. Initially, we should draw a person out with soft and pleasant words as per Hosea 11:4, “I drew them forth with cords of man, with bonds of love....”