Converts and Conversion
Conversion refers to the process through which non-Jews may become Jewish. The concept is often associated with the biblical character Ruth, a woman of Moabite origin who is described as "taking refuge under the wings of God's presence." Rabbinic sources see this as an indicator of Ruth's conversion and interpret details about the laws of conversion from Ruth's story.
Notable Sources
All Sources
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Ruth's Declaration TANAKH
Ruth's Declaration
TANAKH
Even after Ruth's husband died and her mother-in-law, Naomi, encouraged her to go back to her own family, Ruth declared her intention to stay with Naomi. Jewish tradition understands Ruth's declaration of commitment to Naomi's people and God as if it were a conversion, an embrace of Judaism.
Without Familial Ties TALMUD
Without Familial Ties
TALMUD
Jewish law considers a convert to be like a newborn — without familial ties to their former family. The Babylonian Talmud in tractate Yevamot records a debate between Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish as to the halakhic status of children born before their parent's conversion.
God's Precious Convert MIDRASH
God's Precious Convert
MIDRASH
Who is more precious in the eyes of God, the convert or one born Jewish? Midrash Tanchuma, a medieval collection of midrash, makes a logical case for the convert.
The Stranger's Rest COMMENTARY
The Stranger's Rest
COMMENTARY
The term "stranger" in the Torah may refer either to a non-Jew who has accepted the Seven Noahide laws or to the convert who has fully accepted all the mitzvot. Ramban, in his Torah commentary on the book of Exodus, discusses whether both of these "strangers" are obligated to rest on the second day or just the convert, who has accepted all of the mitzvot.
What Has Been Lost to Cultural AssimilationCOMMENTARY
What Has Been Lost to Cultural Assimilation
COMMENTARY
The phenomenon of Jews converting to other religions has led to significant cultural and spiritual losses throughout history. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks explains the allures of the majority culture and the tragic outcomes — from a Jewish perspective — of Jewish assimilation and conversion.
The Challenge of ConvertsCOMMENTARY
The Challenge of Converts
COMMENTARY
The talmudic rabbi Chelbo says that "converts are as difficult for the people of Israel as a scab" — a challenging statement in any period. The medieval Talmud commentators, the tosafot, digest different ways of understanding this statement, some of which soften the claim.
Love the Convert HALAKHAH
Love the Convert
HALAKHAH
The Torah commands one to "love the convert," equating this love with the love for God, and emphasizing that God Himself loves converts. In his monumental 12th-century legal code of Jewish law, the Mishneh Torah, Maimonides elaborates on the two ways in which the Torah requires this.
Genuine Commitment in ConversionJEWISH THOUGHT
Genuine Commitment in Conversion
JEWISH THOUGHT
Conversion to Judaism should be a genuine commitment, not motivated by the prosperity of the Jewish people. The Maharal of Prague, in his 16th-century work of philosophical work Netzach Yisrael, explains, based on a talmudic teaching, why converts ought not be accepted during times of Jewish prosperity.
To Gather the Holy Souls KABBALAH
To Gather the Holy Souls
KABBALAH
Why are Jews exiled among the nations? The 16th–17th century kabbalist Chaim Vital explains that they are on a divine mission to gather holy souls.
All Israel Were Like Converts CHASIDUT
All Israel Were Like Converts
CHASIDUT
What was the status of the children of Israel before God gave them the Torah? According to Chasidic Rabbi Nathan of Breslov, the giving of the Torah at Sinai was utterly transformative, and Israel were all like converts.
Do Not Oppress the StrangerTALMUD
Do Not Oppress the Stranger
TALMUD
The Torah repeatedly warns against mistreating converts, emphasizing the moral imperative to treat them with kindness and respect. The Talmud in Bava Metzia discusses these prohibitions, citing specific Torah verses and explaining the rationale behind these commandments.
The Rigorous Path to ConversionHALAKHAH
The Rigorous Path to Conversion
HALAKHAH
The process of converting to Judaism is rigorous and requires a deep commitment to the faith. In the authoritative 16th-century code of Jewish law, the Shulchan Arukh, Rabbi Joseph Karo outlines the detailed legal requirements and steps for conversion, including investigating the convert's motivations, teaching them the commandments, circumcision, immersion, and the involvement of a rabbinical court.
The Soul of the Convert KABBALAH
The Soul of the Convert
KABBALAH
There is a belief that upon joining the Jewish people, a convert gets a new soul, but from where does it come? The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism explains.
Who is a Jew? Contemporary Denominational Differences JEWISH THOUGHT
Who is a Jew? Contemporary Denominational Differences
JEWISH THOUGHT
Different standards for conversion are required by different modern Jewish denominations, which has led to the question of who is a Jew? In Rabbi Eliezer Berkovitz's 1974 essay, he proposes that Orthodoxy balance the principles Jewish unity and love alongside their adherence to strict conversion policy.
Unto the Tenth Generation TANAKH
Unto the Tenth Generation
TANAKH
The Torah prohibits Ammonite and Moabite males from joining the congregation of the Lord — even up to the tenth generation. The book of Deuteronomy records this prohibition and provides its historical justification.
Among the RighteousLITURGY
Among the Righteous
LITURGY
Thrice daily, God is praised as the support and trust of the righteous. The Amidah, the central prayer in Jewish liturgy recited three times daily, includes a special mention of converts as among the righteous.
And You Shall Live by Them! HALAKHAH
And You Shall Live by Them!
HALAKHAH
The Torah commands Jews to live according to the mitzvot, to which the rabbis add and not die because of them — except for three commandments, one of which is the prohibition against idol worship and, by extension, conversion to another faith. The Sefer HaChinuch, an anonymously written 13th-century enumeration and explanation of each biblical commandment, explains.
The Status of One Forcible Converted Out of Judaism RESPONSA
The Status of One Forcible Converted Out of Judaism
RESPONSA
There is a prohibition for a Jew to have any benefit from non-Jewish wine or wine touched by non-Jews, lest it had been used for idol worship. In his writings, 15th-century Algerian Rabbi Shimon ben Tzemach Duran addresses the question of the permissibility of wine that has been touched by Jew who was forced to convert to out of Judaism and discusses other big related questions in the process.
How to Return to Judaism MUSAR
How to Return to Judaism
MUSAR
The process of returning to Judaism after apostatizing is detailed and difficult, a reflection of the gravity of abandoning the faith. The 14th-century ethical work Menorat HaMaor outlines the specific actions required for sincere repentance and return to the Jewish faith.
Son of Abraham our Father RESPONSA
Son of Abraham our Father
RESPONSA
It is a halakhic tenet that converts have no patrimony, which is to say that in the eyes of Jewish law, they have no family — raising the question of whether they carry their father's name or are called "son of Abraham our father." Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel, in his responsa Mishpetei Uziel, rules on this question.
