Should Gentiles be discouraged from converting to Judaism?

[Spiderman]

Since the Covenant and Sabbath was given to Abraham, Isaac, and their descendants, should those who aren't inheritors of that Covenant be discouraged from converting to Judaism?

 

[jeager106]

I fail to understand why anyone would discourage another person
from following a chosen religious path.

 

[Spiderman]

I fail to understand why anyone would discourage another person
from following a chosen religious path.

It breaks with tradition...Hebrews were a people set apart from the rest by God. If a billion gentiles become Jewish, they lose that identity...and God never gave the Sabbath or the mosaic law to gentiles

 

[jeager106]

It breaks with tradition...Hebrews were a people set apart from the rest by God. If a billion gentiles become Jewish, they lose that identity...and God never gave the Sabbath or the mosaic law to gentiles

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?????????????? O.K.

 

[jeager106]

Not only is it fundamentally wrong to discourage anyone from practicing
any religion it's Constitutionally protected.

In the United States, freedom of religion is a constitutionally protected right provided in the religion clauses of the First Amendment. Freedom of religion is also closely associated with separation of church and state, a concept advocated by Colonial founders such as Roger Williams, William Penn and later founding fathers such as James Madison and Thomas Jefferson
Freedom of religion in the United States - Wikipedia

 

[jeager106]

My cousin married a Jew, converted, but was never made to feel welcome at Jewish gatherings. So while I wouldn't try to discourage anyone, I would relate my cousin's experience and tell them to keep it in mind.
.

Bunch of snobs ain't they?

 

[Spiderman]

My cousin married a Jew, converted, but was never made to feel welcome at Jewish gatherings. So while I wouldn't try to discourage anyone, I would relate my cousin's experience and tell them to keep it in mind.


.

God forbid Jews from marrying Gentiles. That's one of the consequences

 

[columbus]

Bunch of snobs ain't they?

Ya know guys ....
This is the Judaism DIR.
Tom

 

[jeager106]

sorry.

 

[robocop (actually)]

As a non-converted and non-born Jew, I actually think Gentiles should be discouraged from converting to Judaism too. It is a special race for one thing that should not be blended, so I would not want to have kids with a Jew if I was a Jew.

As far as just converting though, throughout the years I have been shown almost universal respect from Jews for being smart and making wise decisions, so I actually can help Jews whether I can convert or not. Many Jews have welcomed me to join over a long period of time, and I just tell them the truth that there's a chance I will be interested. As far as keeping up with the Torah though, the book I got is with my parents and I've missed a couple days but will probably want to get going again.

For what it's worth, Jesus said God could make descendants of Abraham out of stones. What did he mean by that?

 

[Tumah]

Since the Covenant and Sabbath was given to Abraham, Isaac, and their descendants, should those who aren't inheritors of that Covenant be discouraged from converting to Judaism?

Who the covenant was made with has nothing to do with whether or not converts should be encouraged or not. Our tradition to discourage converts stems from the Talmud which teaches converts cause a problem for the nation. If a convert who wasn't raised naturally in following the Law follows the Law well, then it more strongly incriminates Jews who were raised in following the Law and choose not to exert themselves to follow it. On the other hand, if they don't follow the Law well, then that's another person who detracts from the level of national righteousness.

But its also incorrect to stop someone from taking on themselves G-d's service. So if someone proves their serious intent in the face of discouragement, then they are welcomed, converted and considered a 100% authentic Jew no different than one born with direct lineage to Jacob.

 

[Augustus]

So if someone proves their serious intent in the face of discouragement,

How should they be discouraged?

 

[Shem Ben Noah]

Since the Covenant and Sabbath was given to Abraham, Isaac, and their descendants, should those who aren't inheritors of that Covenant be discouraged from converting to Judaism?

Short answer... yes.

(Convert of 25 years sayin this here)

 

[Flankerl]

How should they be discouraged?

Decapitation.

No but seriously "You don't have to be a Jew to blahblahblah..."

 

[Tumah]

How should they be discouraged?

In general the Rabbis try to highlight the difficulties of being Jewish to the person and the fact that its unnecessary according to Jewish theology for a non-Jew to become Jewish. They'll also push off meeting with the person a few times or make it difficult to get a meeting.

 

[Spiderman]

Who the covenant was made with has nothing to do with whether or not converts should be encouraged or not. Our tradition to discourage converts stems from the Talmud which teaches converts cause a problem for the nation. If a convert who wasn't raised naturally in following the Law follows the Law well, then it more strongly incriminates Jews who were raised in following the Law and choose not to exert themselves to follow it. On the other hand, if they don't follow the Law well, then that's another person who detracts from the level of national righteousness.

But its also incorrect to stop someone from taking on themselves G-d's service. So if someone proves their serious intent in the face of discouragement, then they are welcomed, converted and considered a 100% authentic Jew no different than one born with direct lineage to Jacob.

Great answer!

I do believe that converts do cause a problem for the nation. Israel just isn't Israel with a bunch of Gentiles.

There is a reason that the Bible, (which is best seller year after year) was written entirely by Jews.

 

[Tumah]

Great answer!

I do believe that converts do cause a problem for the nation. Israel just isn't Israel with a bunch of Gentiles.

There is a reason that the Bible, (which is best seller year after year) was written entirely by Jews.

No, the problem isn't to avoid mixing Jews with Gentiles. A convert isn't considered a non-Jew after they convert, they're considered an Israelite. So once a non-Jew convert, its no longer a mix.

 

[Spiderman]

No, the problem isn't to avoid mixing Jews with Gentiles. A convert isn't considered a non-Jew after they convert, they're considered an Israelite. So once a non-Jew convert, its no longer a mix.

So, if I wanted to become a Jew, I have to renounce Jesus as a false-prophet , right?

 

[Tumah]

So, if I wanted to become a Jew, I have to renounce Jesus as a false-prophet , right?

I don't think you have to make an official announcement, but I don't think anyone is going to convert you if you express a belief in Jesus being a prophet or god or whatnot.

 

[Tarheeler]

So, if I wanted to become a Jew, I have to renounce Jesus as a false-prophet , right?

You have to denounce all ties to former religions, including belief in Jesus, Mohammad, Baha'ullah, Odin, or Zeus.