The Problem with the Convert

Dr. David Kraemer, Joseph J. and Dora Abbell Librarian and Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics, JTS
Photo credit: The Library of The Jewish Theological Seminary

[@libertasinveritas3198]

People always forget about Ruth... Who doesn't accept converts, doesn't accept G-d. If you truly believe in the Torah, you believe in conversion. End of Story.

[@Rolando_Cueva]

And from Ruth cometh David 🇮🇱

[@LemurJackson]

*god

[@libertasinveritas3198]

@@LemurJackson God! (Jews don't tend to write it out, though and we should respect that.)

[@johnsaws2434]

This is what I said; We appear too be getting off subject..with..the common tounge of.. Legitimizing intermarriage.agravated rape and socery. A convert is a Jew whom decides too have self worth..Kind of like the word zionism.. Being born inside or outside a communal life, He or She has committed him or her self too practice the moral commandments of The Torah..starting with the first involving communal life. There are the Jews,anunaki,druis,ian,teli,pigmi,pluto moon,pseudo saturn, Magon,hitties and Jebusites..and there are clicks and subsets of theese tribes and Bastards..or basktards whom choose not to identify nor have they Joined a moabite mob. Jews do not believe in god's deity's prophet messiahs or prophecy..; Those are other people ways of life witchcraft and plans of covens..; Those are scientific facts we can prove in a court of law..; In our purouse in the Torah we realize there are Jews and other tribes and That Jews are in this world and other worlds..and hopefully one day All Jews with be with other Jews and Non Jews with be with their tribes and..; That not only our world will be revived that they will be revived on their worlds..etc In some way we will all move with or on from this world.Jew or Gentile.

[@salmanpishori5489]

@@Rolando_Cueva rolando dolaando sahi bolte toom, u spik troothaa bro :)

[@WinningOsprey]

Converting to Judaism isn’t a choice. It’s something one is compelled to do. It’s a feeling that comes from within and it’s undeniable.

[@Gg-jq7ht]

Thank you.

[@Skibbityboo0580]

I am going to try it through sheer force of will, just to prove you wrong....just kidding, I am waaaaay too lazy to commit to the bit that hard.

[@abigailmills2603]

people love to forget that accepting converts is LITERALLY one of the 613 mitzvot

[@BaddFrogg777]

The L-rd is not cruel. Through Torah and prayer people need to follow through. Holy and Precious is ADONAI

[@Naftali_86]

Exactly

[@NinaSofia_]

❤

[@joeanonymous1834]

Bingo. Thank you. "People" to include the man in this video, apparently.

[@JonasRebelias]

Nobody cares. A real Jew isn’t a convert

[@LarfleezeOrangestein]

There is no "convert". Once one is a jew, one is a jew.

[@mwatts-riley2688]

you have Missed the piont. M. Il.

[@samiullahmir]

Rule of thumb If you are not born to a Jewish mother you are not Jewish and never will be.

[@sarahis2920]

Sami Mir even ultra-orthodox Jews believe you can convert because you can become a Jew!

[@felixlagemann8109]

@@samiullahmir I guarantee you don't have a direct line to Abraham. You're a child of converts.

[@JD-dh3yn]

@@samiullahmir that makes no sense. I know someone who’s father was Jewish and had him converted to Judaism as a baby. He’s still Jewish. Truth is you’re gatekeeping is useless and baseless... converts are Jewish. I was born Jewish and I know “converts” aka Jewish. Period end of discussion.

[@sashagamino2268]

Some of the people that I am the most drawn to, I find as I get to know them better, that they are converts. Their Jewish souls, their neshamas, often seem to shine more brightly and with more energy than many of the people I know that are born Jewish. They have a light and energy that's very beautiful and I'm so grateful to have them in my life. In the end, we are all part of one big Jewish family and the more loving and accepting of each other we are the happier and healthier the family will be.

[@anandbabu1346]

Avraham was the first convert who really realized that there is a creator, Ruth, the Entire Children of Israel were converted on mount sinai by accepting the Torah, Remember that they became idol worshipers in Egypt and 80% were died in Egypt and only 20% left Egypt. There are some racists who does not care about Torah and talk these rubbish. the Prophet Samuel is from Rahab who was a convert. Rabbi Akiva who is also from a Jewish conversion. True Ignorance of Torah. it is one of mitzvah that the ger (Convert) must be considered a native. once you are a convert then you are a 100% Jew. it is really a great hypocrisy that born Jews who forsake Torah still called as Jews but Converts who are 1000% committed to Torah are considered as low class is unacceptable.

[@salmanpishori5489]

yes anando bobu, they kicked out an indian convert who is my friend from south india, the orthodox people asked him to leave the mikvah saying he can go elsewhere but not their mikvah.......we guess because the thambi (tamil man) is very dark and all mikva men and boys are white and this they did to a convert through orthodox judizeem

[@lalainegarcia7054]

Learning Judaism when one is from outside Israel is a gift, is a calling. Not for everyone else.

[@mynameisasecret593]

Let people convert to whatever religion they want and turning them away is just messed up....

[@mynameisasecret593]

@Trump 2020 Make liberal cry again And?

[@mynameisasecret593]

@Trump 2020 Make liberal cry again I’m Turkish and there’s good and bad people in every religion

[@hassanbegdouri8734]

​ @Trump 2020 Make liberal cry again Why are you an idol worshipper, pagan & idolater?

[@richardmadden8742]

Do White people go to your mosque? I've read that lots of White people have converted to Islam in recent decades.

[@eduardaconceicao4677]

shut up murtad

[@catebarnes2850]

I’m a convert and I always get comments about how I’m not a “real Jew”, by natural born Jews who don’t even practice. It got so bad I stopped going synagogue because I couldn’t take that feeling of being unwelcome there. I haven’t gone back to that synagogue even though I want to more than anything, because of those people

[@catebarnes2850]

Jason Voorheese No. I’m not entirely sure what point you are trying to make, but just because some Jewish people are assholes to other Jewish people doesn’t mean that anti Semitism isn’t still a thing. Just a week ago, some one spray painted a swastika on a Jewish school in my hometown. Our problems with in our community have nothing to do with the people who hate us. Only an anti Semite looking for more reasons to hate us would use that argument.

[@catebarnes2850]

Channel There aren’t any where I live...

[@catebarnes2850]

Jason Voorheese What the hell do you mean by that? This isn’t a country but a religion. We are all just trying to serve Gd the best we can. People thinking we should all die aren’t helping us in any way. I don’t understand what point you are trying to make

[@mordechaimandel8118]

Anti-Semitism is Hashem's way of preventing jews from assimilating

[@mordechaimandel8118]

Hmm...

[@TheJewishConvert]

I myself converted to Orthodox Judaism and now live in Israel after making Aliyah Baruch Hashem and I can tell you that I was fully accepted in my community in Cape Town South Africa as well as here in Raanana Israel. Chag Pesach Sameach

[@icansee5377]

I have a question and will be very thankful if you will answer it. I intend to convert to Judaism but I'm confused about tribes. Like if I convert, what tribe will I belong to? Can I marry a woman of any tribe or I need to get married to a convert. Is it like I get the tribe of my spouse (I am male) ? Also, can I somehow become a Levite?

[@TheJewishConvert]

@@icansee5377 Shalom. Currently there is only Cohanim, Levites and Israel. If you convert you will be called up as Israel and as a Jewish male you can marry anyone including a daughter of a Cohen, Levite and Israel. Women converts can marry anyone except a Cohen. I hope that answers your question. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach

[@icansee5377]

@@TheJewishConvert Thanks a lot for answering the questions. Shalom. Chag Pesach samech.

[@TheJewishConvert]

@@icansee5377 my pleasure

[@salmanpishori5489]

are u white? whats ur colour?

[@kevinmasterson5733]

Jewish values are my values. I have long been around the Jewish community. I found that all of my friends were smart, hard-working, honest, funny, loving and fiercely loyal. I am all those things too. I heard someone say that Rabbis don't call in "converting" but rather "coming back" to Judaism. For some reason I heard the word "returning". I always hated the word "convert". "Coming back" or "returning" made sense to me, which started me on my return to Judaism. Best decision I ever made.

[@avalerie4467]

Return to the One G.d, Torah and Mitzvot. A return home

[@JasonGafar]

Thank you dearly for your embracing and accepting message, Dr. David Kraemer. Shalom to you.

[@salmanpishori5489]

are u a convertee too?

[@kikiriki8742]

You're a great teacher, thanks for your perspective. I'd tell any Jew arguing that converts are not "pure Jews," that if that's the case, Jews cannot claim King David as their own because he was the descendant of Ruth, a Moabite. Ruth and Boaz's son, Obed, fathered Jesse, and Jesse's son was King David.

[@benavraham4397]

Converts to Judaism ask questions about things that everyone else would see as obvious, which forces people born Jewish to think more into the depth of meaning of Judaism.

[@ryanpoolecountry8864]

Im in the middle of Joining the community near me its mazorti Its been the most beautiful journey of my life two of my dad side where polish jews in the holocaust. I feel like im connecting to my blood line and ive felt so much joy and love from my community I have a deep love for my community I know Talmud mentions sincerity and yes It is my passion, culture my theology much love love your video thank you

[@salmanpishori5489]

preud of u, are u masorti Londonia?

[@jackiesantangelo6610]

I have yet to convert but, my Jewish friends tell me I'm more of a jew than they are. That's kind of true, I love the community of Judaism.

[@jackiesantangelo6610]

Update, I have connected with rabbi, my classes start in March. The journey takes form...

[@stevepayne5965]

@@jackiesantangelo6610 Best of luck to you! I envy you. G-d bless.

[@gabbar51ngh]

@@jackiesantangelo6610 is circumcision necessary for Judaism?

[@robertrodriguez7653]

5aral for men yes

[@richardmadden8742]

How's it been going for you Jackie?

[@theconservativeliberal6967]

The way I see it, which doesn’t matter much is that none of the issues mentioned go away just because someone’s mother was Jewish.

[@dawudyelton1392]

i had a close friend that converted (? trying to remember..)21-22 yrs ago; in nyc, moved to israel, became a citizen; i don't remember him telling me of any big issues, really. actually helped me to understand the faith better. i know his wife was jewish(well duh..?), haha, just meant that maybe that helped him not to have too many issues, idk...shalom

[@maherelzaher]

In Islam, converts are given money and charity after Ramadan , so they feel more accepted and hearts are reconciled

[@gilfoylekhan]

i think thats culture and not apart from islam

[@maherelzaher]

@@gilfoylekhan this is literally zakkah

[@BaddFrogg777]

That will make it easier for people to convert to Muslim. The need and urgency to feel you belong. People might forget your name. But they will never forget how you made them feel. A righteous person is compassionate, understanding, and kind to all they meet. People say that the jewish people in Israel are kinder and friendlier than the New York Jews. To separate and alienate converts is only going to extend the arrival of the Mosiach. And the L-rd's Third Temple. I am terrified of HaShem.

[@liaa4172]

@@gilfoylekhanisnt being jewish is also part of a culture?

[@mierpaul]

I rarely experienced anything negative about my conversion. For one, I'm a Sephardic descendant. Two, my conversion was not done as matrimonial obligation. I know there are jews that won't accept me. And that's ok. I wouldn't have anything to with those people anyway.

[@gabbar51ngh]

I an looking into Judaism and I wouldn't mind converting but circumcision is what bothers me.

[@ThankYou_Please]

@@gabbar51ngh if as an adult you havent already had one just skip that step.

[@mordechaimandel8118]

Circumcision is necessary for all Jewish males even converts

[@Malik-hz5fg]

Mordechai Mandel slice slice on da pp bruddah😂😂

[@mierpaul]

@Body Armor From The Rock there are no valid DNA tests that prove your jewish heritage. although there are DNA markers that jews share with other populations. that said your best bet is to put together a family oral history and try to match it up with a regional jewish history. present that to the bet din. good luck

[@benavrahamyitzchak8433]

I'm a convert and I can tell you that we are considered flawed or defective. The great Rabbi Akiva was the son of converts. Rabbi Hillel converted a man who wanted to study on one leg. After the teaching he was told go forth a d raise other Jews Orpa Naomi Ruth and Boaz. This is part of the Standard. I'm cappuccino colour Jew. Trust me it's hard. No one wants converts. It's sad to be honest.

[@catebarnes2850]

je&moi-meme * I’m a converted reformist and I’ve gotten a lot of shit. It’s really everywhere.

[@nicknavarro9418]

Cant pay mind to it. Just be proud. Focused. & continue being a jew

[@adelante3938]

Don't let them sway you. Of course we want acceptance within the community but ultimately being Jewish is a covenant between man and G*d even if other men and women don't agree that its legitimate

[@nicknavarro9418]

@@adelante3938 AMEN. Baruch HaShem

[@salmanpishori5489]

why dont they want converts- whats the monopoly that only i can be jew and other cant? hwah?

[@roiferreach100]

Thank you for sharing this, i find hope. Im interested to learn more of judaism.

[@karmayeshengondrubs4594]

Why keep people away from such an excellent religion? It has everything that a person could want; an ancient, authentic tradition with scripture, commentaries for guidance , ritual and mysticism. Since the 1960’s spiritual seekers have been exploring Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism etc. with mixed results. The gem that is Judaism has been overlooked ! If I wasn’t 66 years old I would seriously consider Judaism as a way of life. By the way, this was an informative video.

[@glykera]

It's because Judaism is more than a religion. It's a culture, a way of life. By converting, you don't join a religion, you join a tribe.

[@salmanpishori5489]

u sound like a convert

[@eve3363]

​​@@glykera Judaism is a culture just as much as being Assyrian, Mesopotamian, or Gaul (ancient French tribe) is a culture. A culture/tribe isnt just a group of people. A culture/ tribe has to be alive, undying, neverending, with a common language that all of its members can understand and speak. Judaism has none of these. 1. The Hebrew language spoken in Israel is not the same Hebrew language spoken in the Bible. The Hebrew language spoken in Israel is reconstructed aka it's not a real language. It also means that this language died at one point. Additionally, Hebrew is not the shared language among Jews. Jews may speak Modern Hebrew, Yiddish, German, Spanish, English, French, etc. So there is no unifying language amongst you. 2. Jews do not share a common belief system. Jews can be Orthodox, Sephardic, Reformed, Conservative, Messianic, and even Atheist. So what are your shared customs? Not eating pork? Because a lot of religions don't eat meat and to add, there are Jews who do eat pork. 3. Jews do not share a common land. Jews can be in Israel (a manmade country comparable to Dubai), Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. So where are Jews homeland because it's not Israel. You can't claim a land and a language thousands of years later and say, "Thousands of years ago, these were my people." That's like an Iraqi going to Turkey and saying, "Thousands of years ago, this was Assyrian land and thousands of years ago, my people were Assyrian ". I can go on and on, but sorry. Jewish is not a culture. It's a religion of white people who worship themselves.

[@terry9238]

66 is far from too old to consider Judaism as a way of life! There’s no age limit at all. Look at how old some people described in Torah-including some of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs-were when they started living in what we now consider a Jewish or more Jewish way!

[@terry9238]

Judaism is not “a religion of white people”. Not all Jews are white.

[@cfirelite1]

Why is it that it has become so hard to convert? It seems as though they make it take so long and hard so that you give up. It is hard to feel like you belong to a people and feel as though you are not wanted and will go away.

[@beeclancy696]

Because the Israelites did not receive the Torah nor did they reach Israel over the weekend.

[@Iuris_tube]

Candy Robison They make you givd up...if you don't give up, it means you are feally serious in your choice...

[@my2cents49]

It's one thing to make people consider the seriousness of their decision to convert; it's another thing to disrespect and humiliate them in the community. I've seen that happen first-hand in disgraceful ways in the local Orthodox community. For one thing, only rich people in my area can convert (orthodox) because they have planted their synagogues in the richest neighborhood of the city. If you cant afford to live there, you cant convert. And then those who can afford it are treated begrudgingly not by the rabbi, but the whole community. It's hard to see good people come and go like that. Make no mistake - before a non-Jew ever walks through the door of your synagogue, many of them have lost and sacrificed a lot already that you dont know about, because families and friends dont take kindly to people changing cultures. Problem is that the ravbi questions them according to his responsibility, but sometimes goes way overboard. Then the community thinks it's their responsibility to push at them as well. Many, many people who quit the conversion quest arent walking away because they cant keep up with Jewish law - it's because they become disgusted with the people and dont want to learn from their sins - so instead of testing them we turn them back to idolatry as the (G-d forbid) more moral path. But no one talks about that because non-Jews have no voice in our communities so it's easy to marginalize them. It's unfortunate that there are so many amazing, sweet Jews in our communities and Judaism has so much to offer in terms of morality and community - but all that gets ruined in the eyes of the nations because of a few people with too much pride and lack of compassion. We've all seen images on tv about teens with lots of friends who commit suicide because of a handful of school bullies - it's the same mental factor that is experienced by the potential convert. Judaism is beautiful but it's up to us to admit our faults and help people understand why it's worth preserving. We can welcome a brother or create an enemy. For one, I'd rather hear what they have to say before just throwingg up the old line of "if you dont stay in you just arent serious." Just saying, sometimes it's our fault they walk away, not theirs.

[@my2cents49]

renez dregnov with all due respect, a person doesnt have to be literally rich, as in making a quarter million dollars a year or more in order to keep mitzvot. Placing a synagogue within an eruv in the richest part of a big city, and then chastising people who cant live there - which they knew would happen before they built the shul - makes no sense. Many, many Jews cant even be shomer Shabbos without being isolated from communal religious life because the synagogues are knowingly placed in areas that are inaccessible to them - because they rabbis would rather cater to rich donors than the 75% of the Jews in the community who make lower-middle class income. I know I've said it already but this is a big deal and they're closing their eyes to the impact it has on the community. When leaders put stumbling blocks and barriers in front of people that prevent them from spiritually progressing, it's a serious problem. They can say they have a right to be choosy, but what they're really concerned about is making an elite insiders' club that pushes non-Jews back out to paganism and pushes would-be observant Jews to secular living because they cant keep up with the very unnecessary costs of Orthodox life today. A cost that didnt used to exist, but because American Jewry has become so decadent it's considered nothing to let these people fall by the wayside while we pat ourselves on the backs for keeping rituals as we negate inclusivity and justice that would keep people in touch with HaShem. It's one thing for non-Jews to persecute and cause the community hardships, but when leaders themselves suppress a person's right to a spiritual community by making themselves inaccessible, how are we supposed to answer our critics? It says a lot that some people can dismiss it so easily as though it's no big deal, just because it doesnt affect them. Somewhere along the way the Orthodox crowd has seriously lost touch with the true purpose of Judaism, regardless of how many books and prayers they know. Conversion shouldnt be about filtering down to the candidates with the biggest wallets. That's shameful, like having waste on your face and not smelling it. Because you have to have what the community wants... It's no wonder so many Jews today reject Orthodoxy with an answer like that. Most people will never be able to aspire to that standard of income no matter how hard or long they work because if you dont have connections and the luxury of attending college then it just doesnt happen. Perhapse you're in the lucky minority and have been fortunate enough to escape that reality but even the average Jew isnt so well off.

[@my2cents49]

renez dregnov it isnt the Jewish lifestyle because MOST Jews dont live that way. Only a handful can afford to, and they're so sheltered and ignorant of the community at large that they have rendered themselves practically irrelavent.

[@Tekno2012]

The interesting thing that I've noticed is many that are most discriminating against Jewish converts are themselves often descendants of converts. The cognitive dissonance is amazing. As if a generation or two removes the same supposed blemish from their own family history of conversion.

[@ajacied1983]

I also wish to convert to Judaism because I love the culture and the religion. However it's impossible for me to convert due to many factors: my wife disapproves my wish and says she's not willing to cook Kosher and not willing to celebrate Sjabat on Saturday. Also where I live there simply is no Jewish community. And I can't just simply move to some other city because I have a house and a job where I live. I can't just leave that all behind it's too risky. I have also been rejected by the Jews several times. Once I didn't get a response when I asked to visit a synagogue and when I went to a Kosher supermarket once they were looking at me like I was some kind of alien. It makes me sad though...

[@jakobkirbach7318]

Maybe try to be a ben noach.

[@ajacied1983]

@@jakobkirbach7318 yes, one of the things that I like about Judaism is that you don't have to be a Jew to have a relationship with God and to have a place in the life here after. Christianity and Islam are different: salvation / a place in Heaven is only for those who practice Christianity or the Islam. If you're not one of them then you simply go to Hell. But not in Judaism. That's a very reassuring thought.

[@mordechaimandel8118]

May Hashem reincarnate you as a jew!

[@ajacied1983]

@Body Armor Of The Rock thanks, I saw them live in Dortmund in 2009. It was awesome!

[@ajacied1983]

@Body Armor Of The Rock if you have a Prime Video account you can watch the Rammstein concert in New York (Madison Square). Lots of fire there!

[@andydragtstra4707]

Never saw a preacher discourage his own religion...

[@glykera]

You've not spoken with any Jewish 'preachers' then. Judaism does not proselytise or seek converts.

[@felixlagemann8109]

1. It is not fair to use the examples of few as a representation of all Jewish people. Jews have a special talent having always a multitude of different opinions. 2. Yes it is hard to convert. It is supposed to be hard, because what makes Judism strong and successful in its small number is its culture of seeking knowledging, reading and intellectual thinking. Also, a (real) Jewish lives involves many aspects of life, starting from how you put you shoes on up to what you put into your mouth and on to your head. 3. Besides it being a people, more importantly it is a family, that interacts closely with one another (at least within the same branch). If you want to be part of it, prove that you are actually commited, so you will teach your children, and they theirs. All together I think the title here shouldn't be saying "problem" but rather "challenge" with convertion.

[@JasonGafar]

Great points, Felix. For a while I've been on the fence of either converting into Judaism or Christianity. The only reason why I haven't converted into Judaism is because I feel so much as an outsider. I'm a person of colour with ancestral ties to India, whereas when I attend Church, I feel very much accepted. What you said concerning scholarship in Judaism is 110 percent true. That's also one facet I deeply respect. I found with Christianity, ANYONE could become a Christian, but not in a good way. I also found so many pastors to be very unintelligent. There isn't a deep reverence or value for scholarship and study in Christianity like there is in Judaism, and I say that with no disrespect. It's like ANYONE can just pick up a bible and say they're a pastor. Or ANYONE can do horrible things and then with the snap of a finger are then Christian. I can't stand that. Judaism speaks way more to me, though I don't really feel any nationalistic tie to Israel.

[@abeermikh]

@@JasonGafar Don't you think that religion should be easy. Something you could convert to in the time of nee, to look forward to. Not everyone is strong willed, not everyone was made that way. A religion should be open to people of all races.

[@JasonGafar]

@@abeermikh I agree completely with you. I wish Judaism was like other religions in that regard. What makes Judaism unique, is that it's also a people, so when one converts and becomes a Jew, they're not only becoming Jewish religiously, but also nationally, if you know what I mean. I don't like that aspect.

[@cattywampusmcdoogle]

How hard was it for 3 million to convert at Mount Sinai or the difficulty for a moabite to convert, as she was accepted and praised

[@H.G689]

@@JasonGafar Islam accepts you with your colour and with the same belief of one mighty God, with no idolatry like Christianity. You will feel as a true worshipper and a follower of Ibrahim.

[@lv4235]

Wonderfully spoken

[@Ellie_5764]

A lovely video thank you!!

[@avigold3622]

thank you for this!

[@Handl33z]

Being an "ETHNIC HEBREW" is not the same as being a "BELIEVING JEW".The two are not always synonymous with each other.

[@anthonyderosa7730]

I say this in hope to help some of the lost. If your community doesn't accept you to be a convert. And that lack of acceptance pulls you away from Judaism. That is exactly why you should not convert and remain bnei noah. It means you still fear man and your surroundings. And not fear god 100 percent as a jew must. You are doing this for god. Not for other people to accept you.

[@BaddFrogg777]

Sincere, honest truth. Thank you

[@arielcanadagroupcomnitzavi8837]

amazing I have been two years doing my converaion, I invite my jewish friends to my house and they have forgotten their amazing roots.

[@TheJewishConvert]

I myself converted to Orthodox Judaism and now live in Israel after making Aliyah Baruch Hashem. I make videos about Judaism, Israel and Conversion. Have a look and let me know what you think.

[@richardmadden8742]

@@TheJewishConvertDo most Jews accept you as Jewish? I've read that lots don't see converts as 'one of them' as they didn't have a Jewish mother. Also, does having the Hebrew name with Ben Abraham make things awkward?

[@VideoGrabaciones2010]

However, regardless that rabbinical Hebrew use the term ger for convert, that is not how it is used in the HB.

[@johnparven6187]

Didn't even Nebuchadnezzar almost convert to judaism in the book of Daniel when he acknowledges the One True G*D?

[@shadowingmirror4634]

I’m only looking for god because I’ve had at least 5 near death experience got hit by a car 3 time drowned 2 just wondering if there is a place for a convert sincerely🙏🏾 don’t think you get too many chances after that

[@BaddFrogg777]

The L-rd is protecting and watching over you.

[@NoOneAM2]

Islam

[@shahidann9200]

As a gentile like me, I love Judaism, how and where to convert ? Rabbi refused to convert me in China, then what Should I do ?

[@kosherjew4223]

Shabbat Shalom! Keep going back to him, over and over. If after the third time is not sucessful, then go to another Rabbi. Some Rabbis turn you away exactly 3 times. Its a test to see if you are really in it for the long haul as it were. Do you really want to be apart of it? That is their reasonsing usually for the refusal. Keep trying! Yasher Koach!

[@gabrielleangelica1977]

Go online!

[@eytonshalomsandiego]

we are commanded not only to accept serious converts, but to love them!

[@marksmadhousemetaphysicalm2938]

Reminds me of my mom who became a U.S. citizen…she was from Germany and was so very proud of being a U.S. citizen…and was extremely patriotic regarding the United States and our military and such…it was embarrassing sometimes…I think that observation is true…🤔 no question that rabbi knew what he was talking about…🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@SuddenUpdraft]

Thank you so much! I converted in 2001. I belong to and participate in a synagogue. My husband, born Jewish, does not.

[@mattbillings3224]

I like to use an analogy of the only adopted kid in a regular family. That child may not be your flesh and blood, but you are suppose to love them as such. Same goes with converts. A true Torah observant Jew should love and embrace the convert the same as a natural born Jew.

[@gabrielleangelica1977]

I would still feel like a second 🥈 class citizen...

[@gaelcohen1998]

Also natural born Jews, never know enough. And also epigenetics explain that any guer can get a very good level of knowledge with truly love (hope most cases) I when I was a kid I never listen at bnei Noah's...

[@multidesigns0]

Just read old books, the ones before the 1900’s. 🤦🏾‍♂️ here’s a start for your research... Book: The jews and moors in spain, page 214 The kings creed awoke again simultaneously..... archive.org/details/jewsmoorsinspain00krauuoft/page/214/mode/2up Book: America: Being an accurate description of the NEVV VVORLD;.... by John Ogilby Page 574 ; that John the third, king of Portugal, sent... Black Spanish and Portuguese Jews archive.org/details/America00Ogil/page/574/mode/2up Search Results Featured snippet from the web Western Africa (part of which became known as "the Slave Coast"), Angola and nearby Kingdoms and later Central Africa, became the source for enslaved people to meet the demand for labour. Sources: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_slave_trade#Labour_and_slavery

[@robertjlogan]

Beautiful.

[@karenfisher2322]

I laughed a little at the thought of converts not learning enough or practicing. I have a friend who converted, under Chabad aegis, and she knows way more than I've ever known as a born Jew. If I have a question, I ask her! As I recall it took seven years of study before she could complete her conversion (we joked at the time that she was essentially getting a masters degree), and before that she had to be persistent for a while to even be accepted to begin. She had to prove her sincerity and commitment. And she did.

[@thatsofranco]

thank you for this video, i found it very informative.

[@KateGladstone]

Rabbi, I’ve a question. In Biblical times, when we Jews lived in tribes, what tribe did a convert belong to? The place where a Jew lived (in tribal times) depended on what tribe the Jew belonged to - so, where was a convert allowed to live?

[@YerushalayimShelZahv]

What about Rabbi Akiva one of the greatest sages ever and was a convert.

[@RepairingFaith]

"Another approach that appears in that Tosafot is quoted in the name of “Avraham HaGer” - Abraham the proselyte. He says that this Gemara should be understood to mean that since converts are meticulously careful in their fulfillment of the commandments - much more than other Jews - the comparison puts non-converts in a bad light, which is why the converts are viewed as painful for the Jewish people." Had the Rabbi of the nearest Chabad Center tell me this as a reason that I shouldn't come to the shul for anything in our talk about my wife and I desiring to convert. Notably that the community there isn't very observant at all such as they drive cars and do all sorts of things on Shabbat. My argument is, why then wouldn't you want us there? If nothing else would it not push the others to fall in alignment? Suffice to say, this has been the attitude for every shul within a hour range from us. So no Rabbi to learn from means no Rabbi to endorse for the Beit Din. I understand Jeremiah so much better now.

[@salmanpishori5489]

i am on a Conbharrjann course too and i get from many Jews that i am a Pakkah-Im from Pakistan, there is a man in my Synagogue that announces to all jews of the world i talk to that I am a Pakistani

[@fredharvey2720]

Natural-born Jews are often, in fact usually, not particularly observant, so that's rather hypocritical to object on that basis.

[@born2beajew113]

True Judaism is not a university course. Listen to this prof: Judaism is about souls, holy souls coming back home.And when a soul comes back to its root there is nothing you can do to stop it. Nothing!

[@BaddFrogg777]

Gilgul comes to mind.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

Funny, in the beginning everyone was a convert :D

[@Nick-zp3ub]

I'm not Jewish, but the ancestors of my grandfather were. I would be interested in finding out more about Judaism

[@jaybrown8807]

thank you

[@chashmal10]

What you said was Tosfos was actually Rashi. Tosfos interpretation is actually a good one, that converts are difficult for Israel bc converts are extra meticulous and scrupulous and pious in mitzvot

[@abdhurrahmanthajudheen6890]

Hi guys, can someone tell me why jews don't add "o" to the G-d?

[@angelathompson4298]

"Jews do not casually write any Name of God. ...Judaism does not prohibit writing the Name of God per se; it prohibits only erasing or defacing a Name of God. However, observant Jews avoid writing any Name of God casually because of the risk that the written Name might later be defaced, obliterated or destroyed accidentally or by one who does not know better. Normally, we avoid writing the Name by substituting letters or syllables, for example, writing "G-d" instead of "God."

[@abdhurrahmanthajudheen6890]

@@angelathompson4298 thank you very much for the information!

[@michaeltaverne1362]

Moses's wife Zipporah was a Midianite, interesting fact, she also circumcised their son. True, they weren't Jewish, as they weren't from the tribe of Judah. But still, that is pretty remarkable.

[@gregblair5139]

IF you've converted, you've chose to be Jewish. I would say that makes you more Jewish that somebody such as myself, who can only choose to observe, not to observe, or to leave!

[@Mushu882]

Every person in this world has different amounts of talents. I believe, in jewdaism it's the same. One might bring the talent of great Organisation and self management, another might have the ability to gain lots of knowledge, another one might be very empathetic and caring... Everybody in the Comunity, born in or jew by choice, brings in a important talent. All of it together builds up a very strong bond that can be a blessing for the world and our scociety. What can a single person do alone?

[@Hisloyalservantslistenlove613c]

The word Yehudah means one who praises The Almighty

[@truecynic1270]

Wow, how eye-opening. Religion has ALWAYS been a measuring stick of tolerance. Tolerance of acceptance of those who, at some point, were VERY committed to revering a religion they were not born into thus "somehow" making them less immersed (?) in the eyes of those who were. Is this non-acceptance a rejection? Meant to be condescending? A judgment based on an unachievable standard? Just plain hateful? Religions, at the best of times, are divisive, food for argument and an exploration of the importance of 'blind" faith. Can't people be who they want to be?

[@YankeeNationalist]

Jewry is primarily a nation and a tribe before it is a religion. Converting Judaism is like converting to being Irish.

[@palashvictor]

Good

[@ccwnoob4393]

dude's right. so simple: if god specifically chose jews, you cannot conveniently become chosen by trying to join that original group. if i choose certain folks for my party, others cannot assume i chose them for my party by emulating the folks i chose. i didnt choose you. live with it! jesus

[@theresacolosimo5589]

What if you never know that your ancestors were Jews? Are you not a real jew? Yes, you are. Many southern Italians and people of Mexican descent are finding out through DNA and family customs that they have Jewish roots. No human can you another human they are not accepted, to be accepted by G-d is all that matters.

[@dogzdigital]

How is it a challenge to not oppress others?

[@mikesully110]

what's the point in converting to Judaism if G-d is happy with the Noachide? Why put that additional burdon upon oneself? If G-d wanted me to observe all the Mitzvot, he would have made me a Jew. He made me a Gentile thus I can work on the Sabbath. (even though I choose not to do paid employment on weekends)

[@mordechaimandel8118]

Your right! That's why we try to convince people not to convert!

[@ajacied1983]

You're totally right! About a year ago I considered to convert to Judaism too. After reading a lot about the religion and the process of converting I decided not to do it, because I found out that as long as I keep the 7 Noahide laws, I will be able to have a relationship with God and have a place in the here after. There is one thing that I wonder: why does God make some people Jewish and other people gentiles? For instance: why did He not make me Jewish? Why did He allow me to work on Saturday but he didn't allow Jews to do the same?

[@mordechaimandel8118]

God offered all the nations of the world his Torch and all rejected it except the Jews.

[@ajacied1983]

@@mordechaimandel8118 OK, but then: why did God make you Jewish and why did He make me a gentile? Because you were born Jewish (I assume) and I was born gentile. Why didn't He make me Jewish too?

[@abeermikh]

@@ajacied1983 Such a logical question. Isn't it the same as black and white, being Asian and European... Thus, there is only one rule: No one is above one another, only because of mere accident of birth. Thus, every person should be allowed to convert to whatever they want.

[@ericah6546]

THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CONVERT WHO HAS NOT SPENT TIME LEARNING. THERE ARE NOT SUCH PROBLEMS WITH THE TRUE CONVERT WHO COMES FROM A FAMILY IN HIDING. THOSE FAMILIES CONTINUED TO PASS DOWN JEWISH TORCH OF LIGHT. IT IS IN OUR DNA/SOUL THAT WE ARE LOVERS OF HASHEM.

[@masha6137]

Can you call yourself a jew if you believe in the Torah and respect the laws of judaism etc. ? I know that you can be christian by believing in Jesus and god.. reading the bible etc. Is it similar in Judaism?

[@Lydia-zj2vl]

No, you have to be accepted into the community by a beit din

[@extendedplay8830]

Ruth - was a convert Jews are originally Converts - remember !

[@mannyechaluce3814]

no one was a Jew in the beginning, they had to be converted :D

[@salmanpishori5489]

I pheel all convaats should set up a separate seenagog for convaats only

[@UmarShorts_islamic]

🇵🇸❤️☪️

[@sanctuairegaia5213]

Interesting. I've also read from the Talmud that converts have a greater soul than those born jew. Penguins Classics, from Amazon. Who is deceiving? :\

[@crutherfordmusic]

Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

[@yochananzahav3758]

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says: "For among the first things I passed on to you was what I also received, namely this: the Messiah died for our sins, in accordance with what the Tanakh says; and he was buried; and he was raised on the third day, in accordance with what the Tanakh says". There are no such verses in Tanakh. Please show us these verses if you can find them. And don't quote from the book of Jonah, which is not about his spending three days in a fish but rather the forgiveness of the Ninevites through repentance, NOT through blood sacrifices or jezeus.

[@crutherfordmusic]

@@yochananzahav3758 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5quiqhjls-blc0si=CXNnEhTdZ5aJzjtb

[@yochananzahav3758]

I struggle with the idea that converts choose their faith. I believe that true converts have a nefesh yehudi since birth and through life's experiences come to realize they are a Jew despite their gentile physical shell. I do not think that true converts suddenly become Jewish after they leave the mikveh following a hearing in front of a beit din, but rather have always been Jewish and have merely gone through a formal process to confirm their identity to the community, to Am Yisrael. Many Jews by birth disregard HaShem and Torah mitzvot and have no desire to make aliyah. A true convert is naturally drawn to HaShem, Torah mitzvot, making aliyah, and will endure many difficulties to be recognized by Am Yisrael as a real Jew. Perhaps the definition of a true Jew is more spiritual than merely physical. A true Jew and true convert loves HaShem with all his heart, soul, and strength, aspires to observe all applicable 613 mitzvot and halacha, is a light in a world of darkness, loves Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael, and looks forward to the revelation of Moshiach ben David and the redemption of Israel, among other things. Many believe that a Jew that becomes a jezeus loving idol worshipping missionary that tries to lure other Jews to christianity is no longer a Jew. If that is true, could the same be said about Jews who are secular and have no love for HaShem or Am Yisrael? The convert that refuses to keep learning or observe mitzvot or halacha is probably not a true convert. The convert that is a skin disease on Am Yisrael is one that has converted for ulterior motives and is probably a false convert. Was Ruth a skin disease on Am Yisrael? Did she muddy the purity of Am Yisrael or did her progeny include King David and Moshiach ben David? A true convert can only be a blessing to Am Yisrael. I believe that all negative connotations about converts refer to false converts, people who are gentile physically and spiritually but have somehow slipped through the gates and were mistakenly accepted as a true convert. A true convert is indistinguishable from a true Jew, spiritually.

[@lanapapas]

Ruth was a convert. No Ruth, no King David. Period.

[@Paul-km9ox]

go into a synagogue on shabat prayers and see how born Jews behave, and then look at converts

[@jeanneamato8278]

Back in ancient times you were not born a Jew. Not until the people accepted HaShem and the Torah and become circumcised did they become Jewish.

[@dylanalgifari920]

Azkenazi is not the one of the tribes of 12 race...

[@husskiii]

we wuz kangz

[@karlvonboldt]

Moses was a convert.

[@elijahdeutsch6851]

No he wasn’t.. he was a Levite

[@MB-tb6jy]

If a religion is correct the it should be accessible to everyone. Islam is the only religion which has an alternative to the controversial topics of the Old Testament whilst upholding Tawhid.

[@OmarOsman98]

You are correct.

[@cooper60]

The irony is you are the converts

[@eliyahukonn3245]

Such arrogance. "Ger," is the noun from the root, גר, to live in an area. It's not from to covert, Which I don't remember is even found in Tanakh. So much wrong with this little schpiel.

[@husskiii]

Ger is a common term for convert

[@eliyahukonn3245]

@@husskiii common but confused and incorrect, from the usage in the Tanakh.

[@GavrielChayyim]

Converts are exactly the same as a born jew finished not different one law shal there be for the born jew and the converted jew even if a convert later strays he is still jewish same as me born jewish if I stray I'm still jewish same with a convert

[@joeanonymous1834]

G-d "chose" the Hebrews to bring all people to His laws, that is, to goodness. The "choice" was not in order that Hebrews self-isolate and run a cult, or an exclusive club, gatekeeping the same on the basis of bloodlines, or on the basis of post-Tanakh, man-authored rites and procedures. The former doctrine is cut from the same cloth as were the Nuremberg Laws. The latter doctrine is idolatry. If you love the Tanakh and live by the Torah--as written, not as "interpreted" by any man--you are a Jew. I know "natural born Jews," that were "raised Jewish," that cannot identify the five books of Moses and cannot identity the the three writs of the Tanakh. Are they more Jewish than I am? (My mother was not Jewish. My father was an atheist that was a Jew by the Babylonian Talmud. I had no religious upbringing, whatsoever. I have come to love the Tanakh and to live by the Torah.) If you answer "yes" to this question, I invite you to read the Torah--not a commentary on the Torah, and not anything not from G-d, but the Torah.

[@ruiviegas4658]

TALMUD GOIM 🤣🤣🤣

[@rubennasser6907]

Lots of bla, blaah from people whose genetic analysis show that they intermingled a lot for centuries...

[@Misanthropic9294]

The problem with close minded people that charade as good followers of the Lord

[@unown3722]

God has hardened their hearts and closed their eyes. Do you Jews not recall where God promised Abraham all humans are blessed through his offspring ? Genesis 22 18. Or where God said the non Jews will be saved by placing their trust in the Messiah ? Isaiah 11 10 Isaiah 49 6. The law of Moses tells us what is a sin, but you still do them anyway? Turn to the Messiah who bears the iniquity of ALL. His name is Jesus Christ and he will return.

[@peepsqueeqe1345]

I smell lies 🤥

[@GeneralKato]

The issue is the blood. There are two kinds. Two bloodlines. Those from Adam and those of the wicked one. To Jesus it doesn’t matter. That’s why he is hated by them. Jesus unites, the real Jesus, not the coming false jesus. The ones from the Wicked One divides….

[@NONEOFYOURBIZ69]

Amen