If a non-Jew (gentile) converted into Judaism, would they truly become a real, authentic Jew in the eyes of the Jewish people or would they be viewed as inauthentic?
The question above was posted on my Quora social media page.
Someone answered:
You’re Jewish. End of sentence. There will be people who will treat you differently. They are wrong and breaking Halacha. The official Jewish law in all Jewish movements is the Jews are Jews, whether by birth or by choice. All Jews are considered to have been at Mt Sinai when we received the Torah, including converts. There’s a school of thought that converts were Jewish in another life and have found their way home. And either way, the consensus is the ger (stranger, in an immigrant kind of way) has a Jewish Neshama (soul or life force or spirit). After the initial mazel tov, no one is supposed to ever mention that someone converted. And doing otherwise is super rude.
Of course, these rules are broken but please know that if you join us you become one of us. A conversion to Judaism is like an adoption or becoming a citizen of a new nation. Are there people who tell adopted children that their parents aren’t their “real” parents? Are there people who say new American citizens they aren’t “real Americans”? Absolutely yes to both questions and we all know that they are wrong to do so.
In the hit Netflix series *Nobody Wants This*, a story unfolds about a relationship between a rabbi and a gentile named Joanne. Joanne feels conflicted about converting to Judaism, but things take a turn when her mother receives a gift that makes her feel connected to the experience of being at Sinai for the giving of the Torah. Now, Joanne’s mother is deeply moved and feels strongly about converting to Judaism.
I answered the Quora question:
“Beautiful”-
My conversion to Judaism was more of a mystical journey. I didn’t do it for marriage, but to feel more in touch with my soul and, ultimately, closer to God.
There is a great saying, Jews who have converted, were Jewish in another life and found their way home. In the book, The Gate of Reincarnations, the great Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria declared, "The souls of the Exodus generation shall again become incarnated."
I strongly feel that my soul is one of those from the Exodus generation!
On Mount Sinai, Egypt ...
XOXO, Serena Ahuva Jade
www.raising-the-sparks-publishing.com
