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Changes for page Conversion

Last modified by Ryan C on 2025/08/31 07:15
From version 8.1
edited by Ryan C
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To version 7.1
edited by Ryan C
on 2025/05/20 11:29
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6 6  == Introduction ==
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8 -Conversion to Judaism (גיור, *giyur*){{tooltip}}Hebrew term for conversion.{{/tooltip}} is the process by which a non-Jew embraces the Jewish faith and people. Historically, conversion has often been challenging – both because Jewish law sets rigorous requirements and because social or political factors discouraged proselytizing{{tooltip}}Organized efforts to recruit converts.{{/tooltip}}. Unlike many religions, Judaism traditionally does not seek converts; in fact, classical rabbinic{{tooltip}}Pertaining to the teachings/tradition of the rabbis.{{/tooltip}} teaching discourages active missionizing. Those who persist sincerely, however, can become Jews in every respect. This page explores how conversion has been approached over time, the legal (halakhic){{tooltip}}Relating to Halakha (Jewish law).{{/tooltip}} procedures and restrictions involved, differing attitudes among Jewish denominations, and the impact of strict conversion standards on Jewish identity and community exclusivity.
8 +Conversion to Judaism (גיור, *giyur*) is the process by which a non-Jew embraces the Jewish faith and people. Historically, conversion has often been challenging – both because Jewish law sets rigorous requirements and because social or political factors discouraged proselytizing. Unlike many religions, Judaism traditionally does not seek converts; in fact, classical rabbinic teaching discourages active missionizing. Those who persist sincerely, however, can become Jews in every respect. This page explores how conversion has been approached over time, the legal (halakhic) procedures and restrictions involved, differing attitudes among Jewish denominations, and the impact of strict conversion standards on Jewish identity and community exclusivity.
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11 11  == Historical and Modern Difficulty of Conversion ==
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13 13  Throughout history, converting to Judaism has never been simple. In ancient times, some non-Israelites did join the Israelites (the Bible records figures like Ruth, a Moabite, embracing Judaism), and according to Maimonides, converts were accepted since the earliest eras. However, during periods of Jewish political sovereignty (for example, the era of Kings David and Solomon), rabbinical courts were wary of converts who might lack pure intentions. Maimonides notes that in those days, courts *“did not accept converts who may not have had the right intention, and they had to wait and prove their intentions to be legally accepted.”* This suggests that even 3,000 years ago there was an emphasis on sincerity and a hesitance to accept opportunistic conversions (such as conversions for marriage or personal gain).