Permissibility of Wife Who Vowed Conversion but Was Never Baptized

Date: 2nd Adar 5590

From: Rabbi Moshe Sofer

To: Rabbi Elazar

Description

A woman who vowed to convert, lived among non-Jews for nineteen weeks, and frequented a house of ill repute returned to her husband without having undergone formal baptism. The Chasam Sofer declines to issue a definitive ruling but supports passive leniency, holding that the beis din should not compel the husband to divorce her, in line with the Rema's lenient authorities and the Dagul MeRevavah's distinction between the wife of a Kohen and the wife of an Israelite.

Source: Shu"t Chasam Sofer EH I §21

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