To Jews - do you look down on converts?

Answer 1

Absolutely not! In fact, once someone has converted it is **forbidden** to ever discuss their status as a convert again.

Answer 2

It depends. Let's say you want to be recognized as a jew by the state of Israel at this time. Being the head rabbis, who nearly everyone hates, are massively anal and have declared that conversions are only valid if done by a list of selected orthodox rabbis (this has pissed off much of the orthodox American communities) you will have to first find one of those rabbis. If you don't give a damn what Israel thinks, you just have to walk into an orthodox synagouge and speak with the rabbi. Now, some rabbis will suggest you take classes, but discourage you from converting. If you persist though, and take the proper classes, you will eventually be able to proceed with conversion. If you are a man you will have to be circumsized. If you already have been, you still need a drop of blood drawn from the site of circumsision. Men and women both are required to emerse in a bath called a mikvah and also swear before a bet din (rabbinical court) their commitment to uphold something like 613 commandments and live according to the Torah and jewish law. It is sinful to regard converts any differently than someone who was born a jew. However once in a great while the status of a convert might be revoked but it would have to be for something, like for example, right after your conversion you ran out and were caught eating pork or in the throws of some massive sin like that.

Answer 3

It depends on where you are. In the United States, most Jews will openly accept converts.

In Israel, most Israelis (with the exception of the ultra-orthodox) will accept converts.

I knew a woman who converted to Judaism in South Africa but the Rabbis in Israel did not recognize her conversion as valid because it was not preformed in Israel.

The most important thing is that the person who is converting is doing so because they believe that it is the right thing for them.

PS. I am not sure why Snail feels the way that she does but I believe her answer is quite wrong.

Answer 4

Not me.
I have a pretty deep respect for someone who *chooses* to take this on.
There ARE people who disegard the rule not to mention it. Plenty of them. These people just deepen my respect for converts.
I don't know if I could do it, if it was an 'option' to begin with.
As a busy, fairly traditional Jewish mother, there are days when the only way I get through it is to think it's what I was born to. Someone who was given the choice to do it or not? And did it anyway? Wow. What a great thing to do and an asset to the community.

Answer 5

A lot has to do with the sect of Judaism. Religions are broken down into two categories, Proselytizing, or Ethnic. Judaism is like Shintoism, ethnic. Jews do not seek out or force conversion like Islam or Christianity.

Some orthodox Jews do not recognize conversion for this reason.

Answer 6

No.

One of our matriarchs, Ruth, was a convert. Besides, it's against Jewish law to remind a convert that he or she was ever not Jewish--in other words, to treat them any differently than a Jew, because that's what they are.

Answer 7

no. some dispute the validity of converts that did not convert under orthodox rules, but generally if someone converts under orthodox, they are entirely accepted.

if a woman converts fully under orthodox rules and then later has children, her children will be onsidered as jewish as if she had been born jewish.

there are certain things that are supposed to be preformed by people of cohen or levite lineage, and converts cannot have that, but thats not that signifigant.

Answer 8

Why would we look down on converts?

If we thought their was something wrong or negative about conversion then we would not allow it would we?

Answer 9

Now why would they?

True Jews welcome converts with open arms.

Answer 10

no way! yay for everyone ben and bat avraham avinu!