Q&A: Relations with a Non-Jewish Woman Who Later Converted
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Relations with a Non-Jewish Woman Who Later Converted
Question
Hello Rabbi,
If someone had relations with a non-Jewish woman and afterward she converted, is he punished?
Answer
What do you mean by “is he punished”? By Heaven? There is no punishment by a religious court for relations with a non-Jewish woman (only zealots may strike him). But obviously the prohibition remains fully in force regardless of the conversion. Does conversion work retroactively?
Discussion on Answer
What does one have to do with the other? A minor who converted by decision of a religious court is conditionally Jewish until he grows up. But a non-Jew who is about to convert is a full-fledged non-Jew in every respect until he actually converts.
Suppose the transgression still exists.
Why shouldn’t it be nullified retroactively? Like in the case of someone who assaulted a minor who converted by decision of a religious court—he doesn’t have to pay him until he grows up and chooses to remain Jewish.