1 Ellul 5755 [27 August 1995]
1-944.95


Mrs. Schulamith Halevy
Jerusalem

Shalom and blessings,

With regard to your question [how to implement] the return of the anusim
to Judaism:

First, I wish to praise your work on the matter of returning the hearts of
children to their parents, to the paths of Torah and piety. 

However, since much time has passed from the time of the forced
conversions until today and there is a concern of intermarriage with those
not of Israel, and it is also difficult to check the ancestry of the
anusim, it is appropriate to apply vis-a-vis them all that is stated in
the Shulhan Arukh, Yoreh Deah 268, and as Rabbi Solomon ben Simeon ben
Duran wrote, "He is to be drawn with kindness."  That is, they must be
praised for coming today to openly observe all the commandments of the
Torah.  You will also note there that after the performance of the
circumcision, he is blessed and told: "Our God and God of our fathers,
bring success to your servant [returnee's Hebrew name supplied] and bestow
your grace upon him.  Just as you have moved his heart to return in
complete repentance before you, so may you plant in his heart love and
fear of you.  Open his heart to your Torah and guide him in the path of
your commandments that he may find grace in your eyes.  So may it be, and
let us say, Amen."

After completion of all the steps of learning Torah, acceptance of the
yoke of Torah and its commandments, circumcision (if none was done; if he
is circumcised, a drop of blood should be drawn) and immersion as
required, he should be given a certificate with the title, "Certificate
for he/she who returned to his/her ancestors' ways."

May it be that God will instill in us and in them His love and awe to do
His will and serve him with a whole heart.  Amen, and so may be His will.

Mordechai Eliahu
Richon Lezion, Former Chief Rabbi of Israel