| Halachic Conversion, The Only Option? |
| This article is an attempt to demonstrate why regardless of your intended affiliation, Halachic conversion is your only viable option. To that end, it is proposed examining the conversion process step by step, how differing standards of conversion affect each situation, and proceed by drawing the inevitable conclusion. |
| We should like to preface this article with a few words regarding Halachic Judaism. Orthodox Jews believe that God gave the Jews the Bible, known as the Torah, or the written law, on Mount Sinai and contemporaneously also gave an oral law - the Halacha. This oral law is an exposition of the written law and forms an integral part of it, to the extent that both the written and oral law are incomplete without each other. This is the core belief of Halachic Judaism and is the standard by which all other Judaic theologies are measured against. Halachic Judaism has, even according to its detractors, served as a compelling ideology for literally millions of people for a period of at least 2,500 years. It is Halachic Judaism that has motivated the Jews to cling tenaciously to their traditions, sacrificing their lives time and time again whilst seeking to conform to its dictates in the face of greatest difficulties. Whereas Judaism has been host to numerous sects and factions, a short list would include Cuthites, Samaritans, Saudacees, Boethusians, Essenes, Karaites, Sabbatians etc. it is only Halachic Judaism that has survived the test of time. Suffice it to say that Halachic Judaism has counted amongst its adherents some of the world�s greatest intellects, and rarely if ever has Halachic Judaism been rejected by someone who truly comprehended its wonderful logic. A reasoned defense of Halachic Judaism or detailing its amazing breadth and versatility, is unfortunately beyond the scope of this article, and we shall focus purely on why a Halachic conversion should be given serious consideration by all prospective converts, regardless of their personal theology. Converts to Judaism in general, can be classed under two broad classifications, of which the terms ideological convert and social convert are duly appropriate. The ideological convert is one that is aware to some extent of the essence of the Jewish religion, in terms of beliefs and practices, and wishes to identify with the Jews purely on the basis of the Jewish religion. The social convert is one whom Judaism per se does not motivate them to convert but they do so anyway, due to a social imperative; that imperative usually being covert or overt pressure on the part of the convert�s immediate family, be it spouse, in laws or adoptive parents. Whereas the ideological convert is joining a religion, the social convert is gaining membership to a club. The list below addresses the main issues converts will face, first considering the issues that concern only the social convert and then those issues that ought concern the ideological convert too. 1. Imperative to convert: Judaism most emphatically does not mandate the gentile to convert to Judaism. Traditional Jewish sources are replete with statements to the effect that righteous gentiles are assured of a share in the world to come. Not being Jewish does not compromise one�s moral standing and the moral quest alone does not require a conversion to Judaism. 2. Intellectual integrity: Judaism is universally recognised as being first and foremost a religious way of life, complete with a defined set of beliefs and practices. To convert purely for practical reasons, without the slightest intention to a profound change, is to knowingly engage in falsehood. This act will not only negatively affect one�s perception of self, but also inform the attitude of those surrounding the convert, perceiving that convert as one who would compromise any and all standards for personal gain. The above considerations are applicable mainly to those converting for ulterior motives, those converting for religious reasons and yet for one reason or another are doing so under non-Orthodox auspices would do well to carefully read the following. 3. Decision to convert: There are persons who, after dedicating their lives to a search for an absolute truth, when finally meeting up with that truth are seized with a paroxysm of happiness. Nothing is too difficult or too far fetched when they seem to be so close to finally attaining their goal, and they eagerly endure all that is necessary in order to become Jewish. Some of these people end up converting without adequate preparation, and are thus doubly hurt once Judaism does not meet their expectations. For make no mistake about it, Judaism is not a mass religion, there are many who despite their best attempts have failed in making Judaism a way of life. The only conversion under which the convert can hope to subsequently successfully integrate into the wider Jewish community, is one that is carried out in a reasoned manner and at a pace designed to force the prospective convert to actively evaluate every phase. Orthodox conversion is the only one, which as a matter of policy will not conduct �quickie conversions� and indeed will insist on a highly demanding course of preparation prior to the conversion. 4. Knowledge of Judaism: Judaism by its essence, as every other religious system, possesses a distinct theology through which it is identified. This theology does not necessarily coincide with the prevailing moral standard of the day. Whichever brand of Judaism one plans to affiliate with, there are a number of issues which the convert is expected to conform to and identify with. These include not celebrating gentile holidays, identifying in general with Israel, giving of ones time to various Jewish causes etc. Frequently the convert will discover issues that he personally is at odds with, issues that the convert will have great difficulty compromising. Whereas liberal conversions tends to gloss over the differences and stress that which Judaism has in common with contemporary values, Orthodox conversion on the other hand, will, as a matter of principle, stress the differences, that being the essence of conversion according to Orthodox theology, the renunciation of previously held values and the the embracing of a Jewish set of values. 5. Acceptance: It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this issue and the non orthodox convert must consider this issue on two levels, their own, and their children�s. Despite whatever anyone will tell you, despite your total sincerity, despite your love of Jews and Judaism, all that counts to naught; if your conversion has been carried out under non orthodox auspices, your conversion will not be accepted in the Orthodox community. This fact is not open to debate. It is easy for you at present to shrug off the Orthodox community as being irrelevant, however once you are part of the general Jewish community, you will not fail to notice that Orthodox Jews are a pervasive influence. Orthodox Jews are everywhere! It is rare to find a Liberal Jew that does not come into at least a minimal contact with his Orthodox brethren. You may still decide that you personally are satisfied being recognised as a Jew only by those with whom you affiliate, however you still must consider the possibility that in the future you will wish to have children. If you are female, your children will not be recognised as Jewish, even if they have had the advantage of the best possible Jewish education, if their mother is not Jewish, neither are they. A child that is brought up as a Jew only to find out later that significant members of the community do not see him as such, usually results in a profound identity crisis. It is superfluous to pontificate about the long-range damage such a crisis engenders. To knowingly place the child in the centre of a conflict that strikes at the core of his personality is a gross abdication of parental responsibility. 6. Opportunities: The Orthodox community contributes to the general Jewish community in far greater proportion than its relative size. Whether in terms of schools, synagogues, free loan funds, community self help groups etc. the Orthodox are usually in the forefront. As with any community endeavour the majority of these services are, by necessity, limited to members of that community. As a Jew you would be entitled to contribute and to receive your fair share, as a gentile you will remain on the outside looking in. The opportunities available to all will not be available to you. To elaborate on the incredible amount of heartache this causes, is redundant. However, the Jewish community has only limited resources, whereas communal considerations mandate that Jews have first claim on those resources, you as a Liberal convert will be excluded from those benefits. 7. Discrimination: Unfortunately there are Jews who look unkindly upon converts, if only because they are not Jewish born. The underlying reason for this discrimination, is due to the convert being perceived as different due to his background. Whereas in Orthodox Judaism, the convert, by virtue of his observance, is virtually indistinguishable from a Jews by birth, which results in almost no discrimination at all, in Liberal communities where observance is far less widespread, the question of background is pushed to the fore. For this reason, converts face greater discrimination in the Liberal community than in the Orthodox one. 8. Damaging Judaism: If after reading all the above you still feel that you wish to be converted under liberal auspices, we must insist that you reconsider, for by your conversion a great number of committed Jews believe that you are profoundly damaging Judaism. Jews have maintained themselves as a distinct entity for millenia by virtue of keeping to strict boundaries. The inclusion of pseudo-Jews within the wider Jewish community results in a blurring of those boundaries, and leads directly to assimilation, and an absorption by the general dominant culture of the Jewish people. Further, these pseudo-Jews intermarry within the Jewish population, and thereby cause other commited Jews to be unable to marry those families, whom they consider non-Jewish. As a result it is entirely possible that in the near future there will be 2 separate entities each claiming to be Jewish, this breach will be irrepairable, and you the pseudo-Jew will be to blame. If you do indeed care for the Jewish people, we earnestly beg you to reconsider your Liberal conversion, if only for the immense damage Orthodox Jews believe you are causing Judaism. Conclusion: Orthodox Judaism is aware that a good number of converts are prompted to convert out of a sincere desire to weld their fate with the greater Jewish destiny. There are converts to Judaism who have succeeded in raising their entire community with the passion and qualifications they have brought with them. However Judaism is first and foremost a systematic way of life, and as such consists of distinct unbreakable laws, to which all must give way to. If indeed you are sincerely desirous of becoming Jewish, there is only one way to do so, and that is under Orthodox auspices. |
| We thank Yehuda Herskowitz for giving us permission to post this article, if you would like to contact him, you can email us and we shall forward your post to him. |
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