Though the Torah mentions kindness to the convert repeatedly, too often this lovely sentiment remains just that. Among many haredim and Orthodox Jews, it’s wonderful in theory, but not in practice. From the voyeur crimes of DC conversion rabbi Barry Freundel, to the many documented struggles converts endure; their battle for acceptance among those they wish to assimilate with are often losing battles for no fault of their own. They often begin by having to face a conversion industry that is costly and is very susceptible to corruption. Converts may be threatened with withheld or prolonged conversions for the pettiest of issues. After conversion, they may be threatened with ‘conversion revocation,’ or told that their conversions were not valid and repeating some or all of the process is required. Like baalei teshuvah, they are too often never fully accepted in some communities. However, their vulnerability and struggle extend beyond those the baalei teshuvah can understand completely.

David_Bar-Hayim discusses, from an Orthodox perspective, some of the problems converts (and even born Jews) face. His level-headed approach to Torah Judaism has been criticized by some in the haredi and Orthodox world. Some have even called him “apikores” (a heretic). However, to others, he is a refreshing change to the rigid positions taken in much of the Torah world that have made Judaism so stringent that it has become unpalatable to converts and Jews from birth alike.

Below are some halachic rulings and positions from David_Bar-Hayim’s wiki page:

