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1 ancient Roman law. In Judaism,
ever, at the age of bar/bat mitz-
personal status is based on blood-
vah, the child has the right either
: lines. The moment of birth gives a
to reaffirm or to protest the conver-
Jew his or her identity, which no
sion. Many rabbis see the
legal procedure or court decree
bar/bat mitzvah ceremony itself
I can erase.
as a reaffirmation, thus giving it
I This emphasis on bloodlines has
special significance for an adopt-
serious consequences for adoption
ed child.
1 in Jewish law. For example, the
A problem today is that rabbis
I religion of a woman establishes
of various movements differ on the
1 the identity of her child as Jew or
requirements for conversion of an
gentile. [Editor's Note: The Reform
adopted child born of a gentile
Movement also recognizes as Jew-
woman.
ish a child born of a gentile moth-
Many Orthodox rabbis will only
! er and a Jewish father, providing
arrange a conversion if the adop-
!the child is raised in a Jewish
tive parents have made a commit-
:home.] IF the mother is Jewish,
ment to Jewish observance, includ-
1 then the father's status as a Kohen,
ing observance of the Shabbat
1 Levi or Yisrael decides the child's
and the dietary laws and a yeshi-
1 tribe. And if the mother became
va education for the child. Many
pregnant as a result of an affair or
of these same rabbis will not rec-
I incest, the child takes on the status
ognize conversions performed by
1 of a mamzer, which would affect
. non-Orthodox rabbis. Often, they
his ability to marry within the tradi-
control the community mikvah and
tional Jewish community. It is for
: will not permit its use for non-
I this reason that many Orthodox
Orthodox conversions.
1 rabbis counsel Jewish couples to
All Orthodox and Conservative
adopt a child born of a gentile
rabbis, and many Reconstruction-
1 birth mother.
ist and Reform rabbis, require for-
If a child is born of a gentile
: mal conversion in a mikvah. How-
1 birth mother, the child will need a
ever, other Reform and Reconstruc-
conversion to Judaism. This
tionist rabbis say that a naming
includes brit milah or a symbolic
ceremony without immersion is
1 brit for a boy, and immersion in a
sufficient.
kosher mikvah for both a boy and
Even after conversion, there are
girl. Most rabbis prefer to arrange
a number of halachic issues to
the conversion at a young age,
consider. For example, may an
I even infancy, long before the child
adopted boy use his adoptive
has an understandin g
- of what is
father's name, or must he be
happening.
called ben Avraham Avinu (son of
The Talmud asks why the rabbis
our father Abraham) like an adult
have the right to convert a child
convert? Most authorities permit
1 before the age of consent. The
the father's name to be used.
1 answer is based on the Talmudic
May a baby girl adopted and
principle zachin leadam shelo
converted marry a kohen? Ortho-
lbefanav "We can act to some-
dox authorities forbid it, but Con-
1 one's advantage even without his
servative and Reform rabbis
permission." (Ketubbot 1 I a) How-
permit it.
I Rabbi Michael Gold is the adoptive father of three children and the
l author of And Hannah Wept: Infertility, Adoption, and the Jewish Couple.
(248) 583-1300
fax: (248) 583-1305
31051 stephenson hwy
madison heights, mi 48071
8/21
1998
74
under new ownership
Detroit Jewish News
(Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 1988). He welcomes your
:comments on this article, and questions in general, at 1-888-HEARTS (1-
888-432-7815), or at his website: www.heartfelt.com . Copyright01995.
Reprinted with permission.