Conversion to Judaism Part 2

Earlier I discussed the meaning of the Biblical term "Ger" and its implications. So, how does one become a "Ger Tzedek", a full fledged convert, who is part and parcel of the Jewish People? From the Written Torah, we only find circumcision. (Although in the Book of Ruth, we find a process of dissuading a potential convert, and a formal acceptance of Peoplehood and Religion; Your people will be my people, your G-d, my G-d). The Oral Torah presents several stages. Although there are several views in the Talmud as to which parts are absolutely necessary, the final conclusion is as follows:
1. The conversion candidate appears before a Beit Din (court) of three adult, male, observant Jews; preferably rabbis. They ask the prospective convert if he realizes that we are a persecuted nation, and he will be subject to the same persecution. If he says "I know, and I wish I were worthy to share in their suffering" he is accepted immediately.
2. He is told of some of the obligations of a Jew which he is not now responsible for, but will be should he become a Jew. He is reminded of certain basic Jewish beliefs. Shabbat observance and dietary (kosher) laws are given as examples.
3. He is informed of other laws, some easy, and some difficult. According to RAMBAM, we don't press too much, lest he be sincere but nevertheless be dissuaded. Others opine that we do try to dissuade, to make certain he is sincere.This latter view is nowhere to be found in the major codes.
4. The candidate then makes a declaration before the court that he accepts upon himself all the obligations of a Jew.
5. If male, he is then circumcised. If he has previously been circumcised, a drop of blood is drawn (the blood of the Covenant).
6. Male or female, the convert then immerses, either in a special pool called a "mikveh", or in a natural body of water. While in the water, before immersion, he is again reminded of some of the practices he will be required to observe, and once again accepts them.
7. The court proclaims "You are our brother (or sister)" and a Hebrew name is bestowed at that time.
Theoretically, this could all be done in about half an hour. Practically, the convert is first trained in Hebrew, practice of Jewish law, concepts of Judaism, and is made to feel comfortable in a synagogue and in the Jewish community. This usually takes about a year or two.
Once done, the person's Jewishness is indelible.
Although any three adult, male, observant Jews could perform the requirements, normally a recognized Beit Din is, for practical reasons, required, to assure that they are familiar with the rituals, and that there will be no fraud. (There have been, sadly, unscrupulous individuals performing conversions for large sums of money, or other unsavory actions. There are even some "rabbis" who will do a "conversion" by mail!).
There are views in the Talmud that circumcision alone or immersion alone, is sufficient. Up until about 1980, most Orthodox rabbis accepted ex post facto, any conversion that included immersion. Because of political/communal considerations, few accept that today. More on that in a future essay.
In my next installment, I will go into attitudes in the Jewish community towards converts and conversion.