For the source text click/tap here: Yevamot 47
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Conversion to Judaism involves a number of stages. The potential convert must accept the laws of Judaism, if he is male he must undergo a brit milah (circumcision) and he must go to the mikvah for ritual immersion.
What would such a person’s status be were he to become circumcised without having gone to the mikvah?
We find a discussion of this question in a baraita.
The chachamim rule that both are essential for conversion, and one without the other is meaningless. Thus, such a person is not considered Jewish until he has completed the process.
Rabbi Yehoshua says that we can accept someone who has not completed both, just as the imahot – women who became converts – only went to the mikvah without circumcision.
Rabbi Eliezer agrees that a lack of mikvah will not keep the person from becoming Jewish, pointing out that our forefathers also did not immerse in a mikvah when they had a brit milah.
We explore the process of conversion and the problems in modern day Israel for those from heterodox traditions wishing to participate in our faith.