Does a person who converts to Judaism have an obligation to offer apologies and make amends for the consequences of decisions made prior to conversion? The consequences were very hurtful to others.
2006-10-15 03:09:56 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To my knowledge, that's not a specific part of the conversion process - but making amends with those one has wronged in the past falls in the general category of derech eretz (proper conduct). According to Judaism, one who converts has for all practical intents and purposes acquired a new soul for him or herself - but I can hardly see anybody condoning that as an excuse to escape one's past. Making amends for past wrongs is a particularly important theme of the ten days of repentance between Rosh Hashana (the New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
We can annul our vows and everything (a la "kol nidre"), and in pleading to G-d, we can be atoned for those things that are between us and G-d. But for what we do to other people, prayer alone cannot set things right. You have a moral obligation to seek that person's forgiveness. Now, this isn't something specific to conversion, but it's definitely a Jewish concept, and if you want to practice being Jewish (the conversion process is like a rehearsal in a lot of ways - getting used to the Sabbath-observant lifestyle, though not keeping it completely as this is forbidden to a non-Jew), certainly it's a good place to start! We believe that if you sincerely seek someone's forgiveness several times and their heart is hardened against you, G-d may forgive. But if you don't even try to set things right with that person, well, you're culpable for whatever it is you've done.
I hope this helps.
2006-10-15 09:00:53 · answer #1 · answered by Daniel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u do since u converted, but those sins or what ever you want to call them that happened before you converted dont count because you are technically a new person. best ask an orthodox rabbi
2006-10-15 03:17:19 · answer #2 · answered by rhapsda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isn't a person under obligation to apologies no matter what religion he is, or becomes?
2006-10-15 04:19:30 · answer #3 · answered by Shossi 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i don't think so. you just have to go to a rabbi and learn about the torah and also some prayers.. ooh and my advice is that you go to a hasidic rabbi by the way..cause if you go to a conservative and then decide to go to israel..you're still gonsidered a goy lol..
2006-10-15 03:13:41 · answer #4 · answered by togamadness 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋