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Gerim

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Gerim
גרים
One of the first recorded Jewish converts, Ruth, by Francesco Hayez.
Total population
Unknown
Regions with significant populations
Worldwide
Languages
Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, other Jewish languages, and various other native languages.
Religion
Judaism
Related ethnic groups
Other Jews

Gerim (Hebrew: גרים), specifically gerey tzedek (righteous proselytes),[1] are converts to Judaism who are considered full members of the Jewish nation.[2][3] In Jewish mysticism, they are considered to have Jewish souls, prompting their decision to pursue Jewish conversion.[4][5][6]

As Judaism does not seek converts,[7] prospective converts must complete the arduous process without the support present in universalist religions like Christianity or Islam. It is traditional for an individual requesting to begin the process to be denied three times by a rabbi to test their sincerity or even be denied entirely.[8][9][10][11] Even once the conversion process has begun, an individual is not guaranteed to be converted if they do not meet the expectations and requirements of their sponsoring rabbi and Jewish court.[12][13] Once a valid conversion is completed, it can never be undone and the ger is forever considered to be Jewish, even if their observance waivers or they attempt to convert to another religion.[14][15][16][17]

The process in which a gentile (non-Jew) becomes a Jew resembles both naturalization, as well as religious conversion. The convert accepts upon themselves the laws, culture, history, and identity of the Jewish people.[18][19][20] As such, there is no way to become a Jew without going through a recognized Jewish court.[21] Following the completion of the process, the convert is given several documents which validate the completion of their giyyur (conversion).[22]

Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo, a prominent Dutch-Israeli rabbi and ger tzedek states, regarding conversion, that:

A Gentile who converts to Judaism miraculously becomes part of the people of Israel. Unlike with Christianity, this does not just mean that the Gentile now shares the beliefs of Judaism, but rather that he or she literally becomes the seed of the Avot and Imahot. For this to happen, a quasi-biological miracle is required. The Gentile needs to be reborn as a direct descendant of Avraham and Sara.[23]

Individuals from a vast array of ethnic and religious backgrounds have become Jewish throughout history, leading to a degree of genetic and racial diversity among the Jewish population as a whole. Regardless, Jewish law places no value in genetics or physical attributes in determining whether or not an individual is or is not a Jew.[24][25][26][27][28]

History

[edit]
Further information: Genetic studies of Jews

Non-Jews have been joining the Jewish people for thousands of years, with one of the earliest instances being Ruth, an ancestor of King David.[29]

Lord George Gordon, a British noble who converted to Judaism in 1787, taking the name Yisrael bar Avraham Gordon.

During the Roman era, it is estimated up to 10% (2-7 million) of the Roman population was Jewish, partially due to an increase in Jewish conversion.[30] Several gerim and descendants of gerim, such as Simon bar Giora, Avtalyon, Shmaya, Onkelos, Queen Helena of Adiabene, Ben Bag Bag, and Rabbi Yochanan ben Torta were prominent in the ancient Jewish community.[31]

It is estimated that a significant portion of the genome of diaspora Jewish groups is of non-Israelite genetic descent, indicating that these communities accepted in many converts following the expulsion of Jews from Israel by the Romans.[32][33] These converts were fully assimilated into the Jewish people, adopting all aspects of Jewish culture and identity.[34]

Though extremely uncommon, entire people groups have converted to Judaism throughout history, notably the Subbotnik Jews,[35] Bene Menashe,[36] Jews of San Nicandro,[37] and the Himrayite Kingdom.[38] Many of these groups have gone on to intermarry with the predominately Israelite-descended Jewish community.

Alleged forced conversion of the Edomites

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The only recorded case of alleged forced conversion to Judaism was John Hyrcanus' forced conversion of the Edomites during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. However, some scholars believe this conversion to have been voluntary.[39]

Giyyur (conversion)

[edit]
Main articles: Conversion to Judaism and Who is a Jew?

Process

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Prospective Jewish converts must undergo a rigorous process which bears similarity to both naturalization and a religious conversion. Traditionally, this involves moving into a Jewish community, a year or more of Jewish education under a rabbi, meeting with a recognized beit din (Jewish court), and going through with the final rituals (which differ between males and females slightly).[40][41]

Adoption of minhag (customs)

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Main articles: Minhag and Nusach (Jewish custom)

Converts generally are advised to adopt the minhagim (such as Ashkenazi or Sephardi) of their sponsoring rabbi or community, however many also choose their own minhag independently.[42][43]

Distinction between born-Jews and gerim

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There is no distinction between born-Jews and gerim in the eyes of traditional Jewish law, in most cases.[44] The few distinctions that do exist are that a ger cannot sit on a Jewish court in many cases,[45] a ger cannot marry a Kohen (Jewish priest),[46] and a ger can never be in a position of absolute authority over born-Jews (such as becoming a monarch).[47]

Convert status does not extend to the children of converts, as they would be considered born-Jews.[48]

Opposition

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Throughout history, there have always been Jewish figures who opposed conversion and converts for a variety of reasons.[49] As Jewish conversion is not a right, but rather a privilege, arguments against conversion range in reasoning from the possibilities of watering down traditional Judaism to issues regarding the absorption of newcomers into an identity and culture entirely foreign to them.[50] Other arguments cite convert's potential zealotry when observing mitzvot (commandments), thus creating an atmosphere of denigration towards born-Jews who aren't as stringent.[51]

Ethnic identity

[edit]
Further information: Jewish identity, Jewish peoplehood, Jewish civilization, and Who is a Jew?

Traditionally, there exists no distinction between ethnicity and religion in Jewish culture.[52] Even the modern concepts of ethnicity and religion were not present when Jewish civilization first emerged, making concepts such as "ethnic Jews" and "religious Jews" nonexistent in ancient sources.[53][54]

Similar to the concept of Roman citizenship and Hellenic identity, Jewish identity is one that encompasses a wide range of ethnic, religious, tribal, and national concepts which work together in tandem to form the entire framework of Jewish identity.[55][56] As such, Jewish identity is regularly categorized as an ethnic, religious, or mixed identity when utilizing modern Western understandings of peoplehood.[57][58]

In Israel, all Jews are defined as ethnic Jews, regardless if the individual was born Jewish or converted.[59][60]

Rabbis

[edit]
Further information: Rabbi
Rabbi Asher Wade

Though rare, there are many instances of gerim obtaining semikhah (rabbinical ordination). As a rabbi does not have absolute authority over born-Jews, it is considered permissible for gerim to be ordained.

A few prominent gentile-born rabbis include:

Around the world

[edit]
Further information: List of converts to Judaism
A Subbotnik man, with tefillin and tallit, in the early 1900's.

Russian Empire and Soviet Union

[edit]
Main articles: Subbotniks and Heresy of the Judaizers

Groups of Slavic Christian peasants began to appropriate certain elements of Jewish culture and religion beginning in the 19th century, resulting in persecution and deportation under Tsar Alexander I. Called Subbotniks, many eventually converted to Judaism, and settled in the Land of Israel.[65]

Groups of Subbotnik Jews still exist in formerly Soviet countries, such as in the village of Privolnoye, Azerbajian.[66]

Ethiopia

[edit]
Beta Israel man during Sigd in Jerusalem.
Main articles: Beta Israel and Haymanot

Many researchers believe the Beta Israel, much like the Subbotniks, adopted a Jewish identity without formal conversion or were converted by Jews from Yemen who settled in the region during the Middle Ages. Genetic research has shown the group to be closely related to the Cushitic-speaking Agaw people,[67] however other research indicates an Israelite origin of the community.[68]

Khazar Khaganate

[edit]
Main articles: Khazar Correspondence, Kuzari, and Khazars

During the Middle Ages, it is believed the nobility of the Khazar Khaganate converted to Judaism. However, the claim is doubted by many researchers. Though there was a confirmed presence of Jews in the kingdom and the existence of Khazar gerim, notably a diaspora community in Spain after the fall of the Khazars,[69] there is no confirmed evidence of mass conversion to Judaism.[70][71]

Israel

[edit]
Main article: Israeli Jews
A Dutch ger and his grandson in Nahalat Yitzhak, Israel. (1934)

Since 2016, about 3,000 people convert to Judaism every year in Israel through programs approved by the Chief Rabbinate. Between 1996 to 2021, 101,609 individuals have successfully completed approved conversion programs, with most being Soviet immigrants who were not halakhically Jewish (often times only having one Jewish grandparent).[72]

Converts are eligible under the Law of Return to become Israeli citizens, however only converts through Jewish courts recognized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel are recognized halakhically as Jewish within the country.[73][74]

Some prominent Israeli gerim include:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "PROSELYTE - JewishEncyclopedia.com". www.jewishencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  2. ^ Broyde, Michael (2012-11-18). "Who Is A Ger?". Torah Musings. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  3. ^ "You Don't Have to Be Jewish to Be Jewish: On Conversion to Judaism | Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel". www.beki.org. 2014-07-09. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  4. ^ "Jewish Soul in a Non-Jewish Body?". www.chabad.org. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  5. ^ Maller, Allen S. "The Blogs: Most converts have reincarnated Jewish souls". blogs.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  6. ^ "Soul of the Convert - Converts are the vehicle by which supernal souls descend". www.chabad.org. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  7. ^ "Rubenstein: Why don't Jews proselytize?". The Canadian Jewish News. 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  8. ^ "Rus and the Three Time Rejection Rule". cRc Consumer Kosher. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  9. ^ Moss, Aron. "Why Do Rabbis Discourage Conversions?". Chabad.org.
  10. ^ "Conversion". Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  11. ^ Lieberman, S. Zevulun (1988). "A Sephardic Ban on Converts". Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought. 23 (2): 22–25. ISSN 0041-0608. JSTOR 23259518.
  12. ^ Levin, Einat (2009-04-26). "Interior Ministry: Beit Din confirmation of US convert not enough". Itim. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  13. ^ "Sandra Caplan Community Bet Din | FAQs". scbetdin.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  14. ^ Fendel, Hillel (2011). "Shas MK Feels Vindicated". www.israelnationalnews.com.
  15. ^ "Let's Talk About Conversion to Judaism and Whether a Conversion Can Be Revoked". Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  16. ^ "Nullification of Conversion". Yeshivat Har Etzion. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  17. ^ Hora'a, Rabbonim of the Beis (2022-07-30). "Conversions and converts - Canceling conversion - Din - Ask the Rabbi". Ask The Rabbi - Dinonline. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  18. ^ "UnYeshiva - Choosing the Tribe: Jewish Conversion, Past, Present, Future (Part 2) | Sefaria". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
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  22. ^ "Reproduce a conversion certificate". GOV.IL. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
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  27. ^ "The Racial Identity of U.S. Jews". rpl.hds.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  28. ^ "Are Jews a Race?". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  29. ^ "Ruth, The First Convert: A Model of Welcome - Reconstructing Judaism". 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  30. ^ hersh (2022-05-29). "The Surge of Converts to Judaism in Ancient Rome | Aish". Aish.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  31. ^ "20 Amazing Converts to Judaism You Should Know". www.chabad.org. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  32. ^ "Ancient DNA Provides New Insights into Ashkenazi Jewish History". hms.harvard.edu. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  33. ^ Stephanie Pappas (2012-08-06). "Genes Tell Intricate Tale of Jewish Diaspora". livescience.com. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  34. ^ "Conversion History: Ancient Period". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  35. ^ "Subbotnik Jews". Shavei Israel. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
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  38. ^ "The Rise and Fall of a Jewish Kingdom in Arabia - Ideas | Institute for Advanced Study". www.ias.edu. 2012-01-17. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
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  41. ^ adubin. "GPS Policies and Procedures". Judaism Conversion. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
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  43. ^ Waldman, Pinchas (September 2017). "Ba'al Teshuva, Convert – Which Customs to Follow?".
  44. ^ Tilles, Yerachmiel. "FAQ: Converts & Conversion". Chabad.org.
  45. ^ "May a Convert Serve on a Bet Din for Conversion?". May a Convert Serve on a Bet Din for Conversion? ~ Hirhurim - Musings. 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  46. ^ "From the Rav's Desk: Kohen marrying the daughter of converts or the daughter of a gentile father – Shulchanaruchharav.com". shulchanaruchharav.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  47. ^ Tabasky, Rabbi Chaim. "Converts becoming rabbis". Yeshiva Site. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  48. ^ "Conversion - Halachipedia". halachipedia.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  49. ^ "Relating to the Convert (2) Biblical and Rabbinic Attitudes Towards Conversion". Yeshivat Har Etzion. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  50. ^ "'Daf Yomi': 'Converts Are As Harmful to the Jewish People As a Leprous Scab on the Skin'". Tablet Magazine. 2014-11-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  51. ^ "Thou Shalt Not Oppress the Ger | jewishideas.org". www.jewishideas.org. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  52. ^ "Jewish Religious, Ethnic,and National Identities: Convergences and Conflicts". dje.jcpa.org. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  53. ^ "Is "Jewish" a Race? - …or maybe a nation? Or just an ethnicity?". www.chabad.org. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  54. ^ "Was the Jew/Gentile Divide about Ethnicity or Religion?". Amy Mantravadi. 2018-10-22. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  55. ^ Peters, Yehudit (2021-01-05). "The Problem With the Term 'Ethnic Jew'". Hey Alma. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
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  59. ^ Kalman, Aaron. "Supreme Court rules against 'Israeli' ethnicity on ID". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  60. ^ "Israelis don't exist". Mondoweiss. 2016-03-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  61. ^ "Rabbi Izak Ger "The Convert" of Amsterdam | Kosher River Cruise". kosherrivercruise.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  62. ^ "Rabbi Natan Gamedze by Mrs. Rosalie Moriah". Ohr Somayach. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
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  64. ^ Litvak, Yehudis (28 January 2024). "The Nazi's Jewish Son".
  65. ^ "Subbotnik Jews - Shavei Israel". www.shavei.org. Archived from the original on 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  66. ^ "Jewish Heritage in Azerbaijan". European Jewish Heritage powered by AEPJ. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  67. ^ "Who are the Ethiopian Jews?". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  68. ^ Digital, G. L. P. (2015-06-16). "Evidence mounts of ancient Jewish roots of Beta Israel Ethiopian Jewry". Genetic Literacy Project. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  69. ^ "Who Were the Khazars?". www.chabad.org. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  70. ^ Shabashewitz, Dor (2023-10-18). "Myth about kingdom converting to Judaism is source of pride here". The Forward. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
  71. ^ Stampfer, Shaul (2013). "Did the Khazars Convert to Judaism?". Jewish Social Studies. 19 (3): 1–72. ISSN 1527-2028.
  72. ^ "Statistical Report on Religion and State in Israel – New Chapters". en.idi.org.il (in Hebrew). 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  73. ^ "The Law of Return". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  74. ^ "Reform Movement Statement on Conversion Issue / Law of Return Grandchild Clause | Union for Reform Judaism". urj.org. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  75. ^ "The Miami News - Google News Archive Search". archive.ph. 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
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