열왕기하 17:25의 Halakhah

The Gemara, Yevamot 24b, cites the opinion of R. Nechemiah who maintained that any conversion based upon ulterior motivation is null and void. In addition to conversion for purposes of marriage, R. Nechemiah specifically refers to the recorded historical episodes of the conversion of the Samaritans predicated upon fear of lions,³II Kings 17:25–41. conversion by servants of King Solomon in anticipation of being appointed to high office in the royal court and the mass conversions which are recorded in the Book of Esther⁴Esther 8:17. as instances of invalid conversion. The Gemara rejects the opinion of R. Nechemiah as applied to conversions which are already a fait accompli.⁵According to the interpretation of one authority, Hagahot Mordekhai, Yevamot, sec. 110, R. Nechemiah’s view is not rejected but interpreted as having been expressed with regard to cases in which personal benefit is the sole motivating factor. According to this analysis, R. Nechemiah accepts the validity of conversions which are motivated by a combination of ulterior considerations and “the sake of heaven.” Once performed, such conversions are valid regardless of motivation. Nevertheless, Jewish law is unequivocal in stating that, before the fact, such candidates are not to be accepted. The Bet Din is constrained to reject applicants prompted by motives other than sincere religious conviction. Thus, Hagahot Mordekhai, Yevamot, sec. 110, writes that if it is known that the applicants are motivated by desire for personal benefit "they are not to be accepted." Moreover, the Gemara flatly declares that proselytes will not be accepted in the days of the Messiah and, in fact, were not accepted during the reigns of David and Solomon. The reason for blanket rejection of would-be converts during these historical epochs is that in periods during which the Jewish commonwealth is blessed with economic prosperity and prestigious social status there is ample room for suspicion that prospective proselytes are not prompted by reasons of sincere religious conviction.