Commentary for Yevamot 92:17

ת"ר מי שבא ואמר גר אני יכול נקבלנו ת"ל אתך במוחזק לך בא ועדיו עמו מנין ת"ל (ויקרא יט, לג) וכי יגור אתך גר בארצכם

that the ablution of a proselyte may not take place during the night. Let it be said that from this incident it may also be inferred that qualified scholars are required!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' To witness the initiation of a proselyte, as was the ease here where all the three were qualified men, v, Glos. s.v. Mumhe. ');">⁴⁶</span> — Their presence might have been a mere coincidence.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' And provides no proof that in all other cases the presence of qualified scholars is essential. ');">⁴⁷</span> R. Hiyya b. Abba stated in the name of R. Johanan: The initiation of a proselyte requires the presence of three men; for law<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Num, XV, 16, One law&nbsp;… for the proselyte [H] (E.V. 'Stranger'). ');">⁴⁸</span> has been written in his case.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As no point of law can be authoritatively decided by a court of less than three men who constitute a Beth din, so may no initiation of a proselyte take place unless it is witnessed by three men. ');">⁴⁹</span> Our Rabbis taught: As it might have been assumed that if a man came and said, 'I am a proselyte' he is to be accepted,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' As a legitimate proselyte, and he should require no [initiation ceremonial. ');">⁵⁰</span> hence it was specifically stated in the Scriptures With thee,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lev. XIX, 33. And if a proselyte ([H] E.V., 'stranger') sojourn with thee. ');">⁵¹</span> only when he is well known to thee. Whence is it inferred that if he came, and had his witnesses with him, [that his word is accepted]? — It was specifically stated in Scripture, And if a proselyte sojourn&nbsp;… in your land.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Ibid., i.e., as lung as he is in your land even if he is not well known to you. Cf. n. 4, supra. Cur. edd. include here 'with thee' which should be omitted since the phrase has been previously employed as proof to the contrary that the proselyte must be well known. ');">⁵²</span>

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