Jump to content

Gerim

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 whom are considered full members of the Jewish nation.[2][3]

As Judaism does not seek converts,[4] 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.[5][6][7][8] 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.[9][10] 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.[11][12][13][14]

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.[15][16][17] As such, there is no way to become a Jew without going through a recognized Jewish court.[18] Following the completion of the process, the convert is given several documents which validate the completion of their giyyur (conversion).[19]

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.[20]

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.[21][22][23][24][25]

History

[edit]

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.[26]

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.[27] 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.[28]

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.[29][30] These converts were fully assimilated into the Jewish people, adopting all aspects of Jewish culture and identity.[31]

Though extremely uncommon, entire people groups have converted to Judaism throughout history, notably the Subbotnik Jews,[32] Bene Menashe,[33] Jews of San Nicandro,[34] and the Himrayite Kingdom.[35] Many of these groups have gone on to intermarry with the predominately Israelite-descended Jewish community.

Alleged forced conversion of the Edomites

[edit]

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.[36]

Giyyur (conversion)

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

Process

[edit]

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).[37][38]

Adoption of minhag (customs)

[edit]
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.[39][40]

Distinction between born-Jews and gerim

[edit]

There is no distinction between born-Jews and gerim in the eyes of traditional Jewish law, in most cases.[41] The few distinctions that do exist are that a ger cannot sit on a Jewish court in many cases,[42] a ger cannot marry a Kohen (Jewish priest),[43] and a ger can never be in a position of absolute authority over born-Jews (such as becoming a monarch).[44]

Convert status does not extend to the children of converts, as they would be considered born-Jews.[45]

Rabbis

[edit]
Further information: Rabbi

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

Israel

[edit]
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).[50]

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.[51][52]

Some prominent Israeli gerim include:

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  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. ^ "Rubenstein: Why don't Jews proselytize?". The Canadian Jewish News. 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  5. ^ "Rus and the Three Time Rejection Rule". cRc Consumer Kosher. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  6. ^ Moss, Aron. "Why Do Rabbis Discourage Conversions?". Chabad.org.
  7. ^ "Conversion". Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Levin, Einat (2009-04-26). "Interior Ministry: Beit Din confirmation of US convert not enough". Itim. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  10. ^ "Sandra Caplan Community Bet Din | FAQs". scbetdin.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  11. ^ Fendel, Hillel (2011). "Shas MK Feels Vindicated". www.israelnationalnews.com.
  12. ^ "Let's Talk About Conversion to Judaism and Whether a Conversion Can Be Revoked". Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  13. ^ "Nullification of Conversion". Yeshivat Har Etzion. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "UnYeshiva - Choosing the Tribe: Jewish Conversion, Past, Present, Future (Part 2) | Sefaria". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  16. ^ "Giyur or jewish conversion: Process of conversion to judaism | WRAI". welcome-israel.com. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  17. ^ "Why Is Conversion to Judaism So Hard?". www.chabad.org. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  18. ^ "How to Convert to Judaism - What to Expect at a Conversion". www.chabad.org. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  19. ^ "Reproduce a conversion certificate". GOV.IL. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  20. ^ "Conversion is not about Halachah but about Jewishness". David Cardozo Academy. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  21. ^ "All the Colors of a Jew". The YU Observer. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  22. ^ "American Jews, Race, Identity, and the Civil Rights Movement". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  23. ^ "Jews come in all shapes, colors and sizes". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2020-03-26. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  24. ^ "The Racial Identity of U.S. Jews". rpl.hds.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  25. ^ "Are Jews a Race?". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  26. ^ "Ruth, The First Convert: A Model of Welcome - Reconstructing Judaism". 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  27. ^ hersh (2022-05-29). "The Surge of Converts to Judaism in Ancient Rome | Aish". Aish.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  28. ^ "20 Amazing Converts to Judaism You Should Know". www.chabad.org. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  29. ^ "Ancient DNA Provides New Insights into Ashkenazi Jewish History". hms.harvard.edu. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  30. ^ Stephanie Pappas (2012-08-06). "Genes Tell Intricate Tale of Jewish Diaspora". livescience.com. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  31. ^ "Conversion History: Ancient Period". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  32. ^ "Subbotnik Jews". Shavei Israel. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  33. ^ Scarr, Cindy (2024-03-26). "One Tribe Lost and Found - Mishpacha Magazine". Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  34. ^ Eichner, Itamar (2018-04-24). "The Jews-by-choice of San Nicandro, Italy". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  35. ^ "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.
  36. ^ Levin, Yigal (2020). "The Religion of Idumea and Its Relationship to Early Judaism". Religions. 11 (10): 487. doi:10.3390/rel11100487. ISSN 2077-1444.
  37. ^ "How to Convert to Judaism". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  38. ^ adubin. "GPS Policies and Procedures". Judaism Conversion. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  39. ^ "Judaism, Lessons, Times | Yeshiva.co". Yeshiva Site. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  40. ^ Waldman, Pinchas (September 2017). "Ba'al Teshuva, Convert – Which Customs to Follow?".
  41. ^ Tilles, Yerachmiel. "FAQ: Converts & Conversion". Chabad.org.
  42. ^ "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.
  43. ^ "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.
  44. ^ Tabasky, Rabbi Chaim. "Converts becoming rabbis". Yeshiva Site. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  45. ^ "Conversion - Halachipedia". halachipedia.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  46. ^ "Rabbi Izak Ger "The Convert" of Amsterdam | Kosher River Cruise". kosherrivercruise.com. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  47. ^ "Rabbi Natan Gamedze by Mrs. Rosalie Moriah". Ohr Somayach. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  48. ^ "YUTorah - My Life of Physics and Torah". www.yutorah.org. 2024-11-24. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  49. ^ Litvak, Yehudis (28 January 2024). "The Nazi's Jewish Son".
  50. ^ "Statistical Report on Religion and State in Israel – New Chapters". en.idi.org.il (in Hebrew). 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  51. ^ "The Law of Return". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  52. ^ "Reform Movement Statement on Conversion Issue / Law of Return Grandchild Clause | Union for Reform Judaism". urj.org. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  53. ^ "The Miami News - Google News Archive Search". archive.ph. 2013-01-25. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=Gerim&oldid=1264186424"