Pidyon haben for the son of a woman who converts to Judaism

Hi,

If a woman converts to Judaism while pregnant with her first child, and that child is a boy, then he performs pidyon haben for himself once he reaches adulthood.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:194 [see more there regarding what to do while he is a minor])

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Conversion of a pregnant woman

Hi,

Normally, a woman who converts to Judaism must then wait three months before she can marry, so that she will know with certainty that any subsequent conception occurred after the conversion. However, a woman who is pregnant at the time of conversion need not wait, since the reason for waiting is obviously inapplicable.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:158)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Conversion for the sake of marriage

Hi,

A conversion which is entered into for the sake of marriage is valid after the fact, assuming that the person who converted fully accepted the obligation to perform mitzvot.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Yoreh Deah 1:157)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Honoring the parents of a person who converts to Judaism

Hi,

Jewish law considers a person who converts to Judaism to be "newborn." Nonetheless, one who converts to Judaism may not violate the honor of his biological parents.

(Code of Jewish Law Yoreh Deah 241:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Did Gd choose me, or did I choose Gd?

Hi,

We have been learning about Birchot haTorah, the blessings recited before studying Torah.

The second blessing, "Asher bachar banu," thanks Gd for choosing to give our nation the Torah.

One might think that a person who has come to Judaism by conversion would not be able to recite this blessing, since that person actually was the one who did the choosing, but this is not so - one who converts to Judaism becomes a full member of the Jewish nation, and does recite this blessing.

(Be'er Heiteiv Orach Chaim 47:3)

Have a great day,
Mordechai