Does it require a Beit din for a convert to convert? Where is the source of this law?
What if a convert, all alone, accepted upon himself the mitzvot, dipped, circumsized, is he Jewish ?
Why do batei dinim make conversions drag for so long ? What is the source for this?
Does this have anything to do with not accepting converts when jews prosper?
Can you please provide the sources from the Talmud and Poskim to all of the above questions? The general outline.
Answer:
There is no question that a convert cannot become Jewish without a beis din. This is ruled explicitly by the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 268:3).
All stages must be performed in front of a beis din, though the Shulchan Aruch rules that post factum, only the stage of accepting mitzvah performance must be done before beis din for the conversion to be valid.
Conversions take a long time because of the training involved, and because of the traditional caution that is employed in establishing the motivation of the convert and his commitment to Torah Judaism (see Shulchan Aruch 268:12). This has a loose connection with the “acceptance of converts when the Jewish people is prosperous,” which is a reason for suspicion as to the movitve for conversion.
Sometimes, the delay in the process can be frustrating, and there are times when it can do with a little speeding up (like most things…).
The Talmudic source for these halachos is in Yevamos 47a-b.
Best wishes.
