I am a bit confused. I have many Jewish friends, but they are mostly indifferent and sometimes even hostile towards their own religion. I myself am not Jewish but I have studied Judaism and love it and am very excited about converting.
My confusion is this: when I went to speak to a rabbi about conversion, he discouraged me from converting, saying that it is more serious than I think, and that I can live a fulfilled life without becoming Jewish. I told him how excited I am about Judaism but he still pushed me away.
What is going on? I am thirsty for Judaism and I am pushed away, while so many Jews are not even open to learning more about their own religion!
2007-01-30 06:24:42 · 3 answers · asked by . 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The reasons why conversion is discouraged is that once accepts the laws of Judaism (ie the Torah) upon himself, there's no going back....no escape clause. And as the avenues for transgression are far greater as a Jew than as a gentile, it is considered better that a gentile not take it all on. Gentiles are encouraged to study the 7 Laws of the children of Noah, the Noahide Covenant, and follow those laws.
Further, Judaism holds, unlike other religions, that the World-to-come is available to everyone, Jew and gentile alike.
However, if you are insistent upon becoming a Jew, continue to bug the rabbi. After the third request he will accept you as a potential convert and set up a course of study.
If you're really willing to go this route, I strongly suggest an orthodox conversion as orthodox conversions are universally recognized as valid. Conversion performed under Reform or Conservative auspices are not considered valid by those who hold to a higher standard.
Just remember, if you begin studying for conversion and even at the last moment decide not to go through with it, no one will judge you negatively. Better not to convert than to convert and regret it later.
Best wishes with whatever you decide.
2007-01-30 07:04:04 · answer #1 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Conversion is not necessary. All have access to God.
The Torah contains certain laws for Jews (613 of them); and 7 laws for all mankind (both Jews and non-Jews) based on the covenant God made with Noah.
A Noahide is a gentile who follows these 7 Noahide Laws from the Torah (the sheva mitzvot b'nei Noach).
2007-02-01 21:31:55 · answer #2 · answered by mo mosh 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This question was asked before and I have it on my watchlist, check this link:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuUhB4s0auTuWPwFPtRFPejsy6IX?qid=20061212182134AACJ4HG&show=7#profile-info-b5fe7ef2220ea4b082d806a93c46bcc7aa
There were some interesting (and also some stupid) answers.
2007-01-30 14:52:56 · answer #3 · answered by Elly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋