Why do Charedim oppose state-run conversions or giyur through the army?
Conversion to Judaism—giyur—is not a symbolic act, a social statement, or a path to citizenship. It is an eternal, binding covenant with Hashem. And as with any covenant, there are sacred terms: full acceptance of the Torah, sincere commitment to halachic observance, and a life lived entirely within the framework of Klal Yisrael.
The Charedi opposition to state-sponsored conversions—especially those administered through secular government programs or the army—is not based on politics or personal animosity. It is based on fidelity to halacha, to mesorah, and to the eternal standards set by Hashem at Har Sinai.
1. Giyur Must Follow Halacha and Mesorah
Halachic conversion requires:
- Milah (circumcision for males),
- Tevilah (immersion in a kosher mikveh),
- Kabbalas mitzvos (a full and sincere acceptance of all Torah commandments),
- And all of this must be done in front of a kosher beis din—three upright, observant Jews fully committed to Torah, Mesorah and halacha.
The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 268:2) is unequivocal. Anything less than this is not a giyur—it is a deception.
And as the Rambam writes:
“What is acceptance of the mitzvos? That he accepts upon himself all the mitzvos of the Torah, without rejecting a single one.”
— Hilchos Issurei Biah 13:4
But more than halachic accuracy, giyur must be done in line with our mesorah—the sacred tradition passed down from generation to generation. A process divorced from mesorah is not only halachically suspect—it is spiritually destructive.
As Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l wrote:
“To convert someone who has no intention of keeping mitzvos is a deception and a stumbling block for all of Klal Yisrael.”
— Igros Moshe, Yoreh De’ah 1:160
2. The Problem With State-Run Giyur
State conversions often lack the halachic requirements mentioned above. Many are processed through courts whose dayanim are not fully observant, or who are pressured by political motives. The outcome is that people are declared "Jewish" without ever accepting Shabbos, kashrus, taharas hamishpachah, or the authority of halacha.
Even more dangerous are army-sponsored conversions. These are frequently done in bulk, with minimal preparation, and in an environment antithetical to Torah life. Sadly, many of those converted return to secular life immediately afterward, violating basic Torah law—often unknowingly.
Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l stated firmly:
“A conversion that does not involve a sincere and full acceptance of mitzvos is not a conversion at all.”
And Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l wrote:
“A giyur without true kabbalas mitzvos is completely invalid. There is no room for compromise on this.”
3. Why It Matters
Some may ask: why be so strict? Isn’t it better to include more people? Isn’t this divisive?
But halacha is not politics, and giyur is not a matter of opinion. If a person is declared Jewish when they are not halachically Jewish:
- Their marriage may be a halachic intermarriage.
- Their children may not be Jewish.
- Their identity becomes a tragedy, not a blessing.
The Torah commands us to love the ger tzedek—the sincere convert (Devarim 10:19). But it also commands us to preserve the kedushah of Klal Yisrael.
As Chazal say (Yevamos 47a):
“We examine a convert carefully… we warn them, and we test their sincerity.”
To bypass this out of political expediency is not kindness—it is a betrayal of both the convert and the Jewish people.
4. Real Converts Are Treasured
Let it be said clearly: the Charedi world deeply loves sincere geirim. We honor those who accept the Torah fully, who leave everything behind to embrace Hashem’s will.
The Chazon Ish zt”l guided geirim personally. The Chofetz Chaim zt”l wrote about the love for true converts. The Rambam himself was the descendant of geirim.
When a ger comes k’halacha, al pi mesorah, they are welcomed as full-fledged Jews—with dignity, with love, and with admiration.
5. Bottom Line
Giyur is not defined by the government. It is defined by Torah.
A secular court cannot declare someone Jewish.
A military conversion program cannot override Har Sinai.
And no amount of political pressure can change the mesorah that has preserved Klal Yisrael for over 3,000 years.
If the State truly wanted to honor Judaism, it would align its giyur system with Torah law and give the reins over to batei din rooted in halacha and yiras Shamayim.
Until then, the Charedi world cannot and will not recognize these conversions—not out of cruelty, but out of truth.
Final Words
Let us never forget: Am Yisrael is a holy nation, not a nationality. Becoming a Jew is not joining a club—it is entering a covenant sealed with fire at Har Sinai.
To protect that covenant is not extremism. It is love. It is loyalty. And it is the only way to ensure that converts, their children, and all of Klal Yisrael remain rooted in the truth of Torah—forever.
Sources and Footnotes
- Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 268:2 – Laws of conversion.
- Rambam, Hilchos Issurei Biah 13:4 – On the obligation of full mitzvah acceptance.
- Igros Moshe, Yoreh De’ah 1:160 – Rav Moshe Feinstein on invalid conversions.
- Kovetz Teshuvos Vol. 1:161 – Rav Elyashiv zt”l on state conversions.
- She’eilos u’Tshuvos Derech Emunah – Rav Chaim Kanievsky on halachic conversion.
- Yevamos 47a – Talmudic basis for conversion process.
- Devarim 10:19 – The mitzvah to love sincere converts.
- Rashi, Vayikra 19:34 – The dignity due to true converts.
- Chazon Ish, Yoreh De’ah 2:28 – On the importance of sincerity and mesorah in giyur.