Giyur (Conversion to Judaism): Difference between revisions
Created page with "Giyur is a process through which a person born as a non-Jew becomes Jewish. A complete giyur can only be done for an adult (a man above age 13, and a woman above age 12) and of their own free will. After completing the process, the ger (convert) is defined as a "newborn child." The ger joins the Jewish people and becomes part of them in every way. This is why they can recite the blessing "for the good and spacious cherished land that You gave to our forefathers." == Bac..." |
No edit summary Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
According to the definition of Jewish halacha, a Jew is someone who was born to a Jewish mother or who themselves converted properly according to halacha. In Biblical language, the term "becoming Jewish" was also used to indicate this concept. A man who converts is called a "ger," a woman who converts is called a "giyoret." Judaism distinguishes between a ger tzedek who is Jewish in every way and a ger toshav who accepts upon themselves the seven Noahide laws. The Torah itself does not distinguish between them and uses the same term - 'ger', with the distinction made according to the context of the verse. | According to the definition of Jewish halacha, a Jew is someone who was born to a Jewish mother or who themselves converted properly according to halacha. In Biblical language, the term "becoming Jewish" was also used to indicate this concept. A man who converts is called a "ger," a woman who converts is called a "giyoret." Judaism distinguishes between a ger tzedek who is Jewish in every way and a ger toshav who accepts upon themselves the seven Noahide laws. The Torah itself does not distinguish between them and uses the same term - 'ger', with the distinction made according to the context of the verse. | ||
In 1960, the Rebbe was asked about the Chassidic view on conversion. | In 1960, [[the Rebbe]] was asked about the Chassidic view on conversion. | ||
The Rebbe's response was that the Chassidic view is the same as Judaism in general: Torah-observant Jews were never enthusiastic about converting non-Jews, especially publicly. A Jew needs to be a good Jew, and a non-Jew - lehavdil - needs to be a good non-Jew. We have more than enough work ensuring that Jews are good Jews, meaning, improving the spiritual state of those who are already Jewish. Every body is made up of many organs. Each organ in the body has its own special role and part, and each organ does the work that it is suited to do. It is self-understood that no one would think to change this and demand that one organ do the work of another organ. | The Rebbe's response was that the Chassidic view is the same as Judaism in general: Torah-observant Jews were never enthusiastic about converting non-Jews, especially publicly. A Jew needs to be a good Jew, and a non-Jew - lehavdil - needs to be a good non-Jew. We have more than enough work ensuring that Jews are good Jews, meaning, improving the spiritual state of those who are already Jewish. Every body is made up of many organs. Each organ in the body has its own special role and part, and each organ does the work that it is suited to do. It is self-understood that no one would think to change this and demand that one organ do the work of another organ. | ||