Commentary for Yevamot 48:5

בזמן הזה ס"ד אלא אימא כבזמן הזה

are no proper proselytes. These are the words of R. Nehemiah, for R. Nehemiah used to Say: Neither lion-proselytes,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [H] 'proselytes of lions', those who, like the Samaritans (II Kings XVII, 25), were converted to Judaism by the fear of divine visitation. ');">¹⁶</span> nor dream-proselytes<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' [H] 'proselytes of dreams', those who embraced Judaism in response to a dream or the advice of a dreamer. ');">¹⁷</span> nor the proselytes of Mordecai and Esther<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. Esth. VIII, 17. Those who from similar motives of expediency adopt the Jewish faith. ');">¹⁸</span> are proper proselytes unless they become converted at the present time. How can it be said, 'at the present time'? — Say 'as at the present time'!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' In the dire days after the Hadrianic Wars, when the proselyte 15 not actuated either by motives of fear or of gain. Now, how is this Baraitha to be reconciled with Our Mishnah? ');">¹⁹</span>

Explore commentary for Yevamot 48:5. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.