 Friday Sep 25, 2009
Asking for forgiveness from the convert
Posted by Rabbi Seth Farber
Comments: 20
    
When Yom Kippur opens, more than millions of Jews will inaugurate the holiest day of the year with the biblical phrase" ve-nislach le-chol adat bnei yisrael, ve-lager hagar btocham," Loosely translated, we beseech God to forgive the sins of the entire congregation of Israel, and the converts who dwell among them. But this year, as my colleague Aliza Lavie recently wrote, the Orthodox Jewish world might think strongly about begging God for forgiveness for what we have done to the convert among us.
In the past year, the momentum has shifted. Though the Torah insists on protecting the convert, on making him or her a full member of the community, and on never reminding a convert of his or her past, institutional orthodoxy has condemned converts to a never-ending set of tests and examinations, to assessments and evaluations, and ultimately to a level of scrutiny unprecedented in Jewish history. I don't blame the rabbinical establishment for the pathetic attitude towards converts. Rather, the blame lies at the feet of the Jewish body-politic, who has allowed this to happen. While it is possible that higher standards for conversion and greater observance following conversion will result from the new policies and standards being implemented around the world (something that I am extremely skeptical about), the price the Orthodox Jewish community has paid has been so high that I believe an "al het" is indeed in order, this yom kippur. Hundreds of Orthodox converts have "reconverted" in the past year, in order to stay ahead of the curve, but more worrisome is that thousands haven't. And they live in fear and trepidation that their Jewishness will be denied. Al het that we didn't speak up louder to help those seeking to convert Al het that we didn't cry out when conversions were annulled Al het that we didn't scream when rabbis wantonly rejected other rabbis' converts - without looking at each case individually Al het that we allowed converts to be oppressed, and politics to guide religion And perhaps the worst al het of all: Al het that we don't believe in ourselves to stop this horrifying treatment of fellow Jews. On Yom Kippur night, when we ask God to forgive the sins of the converts, let us include a prayer, to forgive our sin against the convert. This blog was inspired by an article written by Alize Lavie.
1 |
baruch lee,
Saturday Sep 26, 2009
I am pleased to no end to read this blog and know that it comes from an orthodox rabbi's perspective.Many of my friends in Israel have tried to go the "Ortho" route of conversion and have been stymied in the process by Rabbi's that have not given them the time of day because my friends were not as "devoute"(in the orthodox rabbi's opinion) or sincere or as learned etc etc etc..We all know how difficult a process it is to study for conversion and it should not be taken lightly.Most have gone out of the country to do it or have turned to the Massortie movement.What a shame it comes to this
2 |
mostconversionsarefrauds,
Sunday Sep 27, 2009
The reality is that the majority of "conversions" are done for marriage purposes. This is especially true among the Reform and Convervative. When the marriage ends so does the "convert's" "Jewishness." Even the Orthodox are not immune to fraudulent conversions.
One of those phony Orthodox "conversions" that has received alot of press attention is that of Ivanka Trump, daughter of the Donald Trump. Ivanka had an express "conversion", isn't tznius, doesn't observe the Sabbath. A promininent NYC Modern Orthodox Rabbi was paid off to get Ivanka ready for her "Jewish"wedding. What a joke!
3 |
Reponse to #2,
Sunday Sep 27, 2009
#2 - I find it amazing how, as we are about to enter Yom Kippur, you so arrogantly dismiss the majority of conversions and converts, including Orthodox ones. That you can take one example and then use it to dismiss the thousands of sincere converts who have displayed more Jewish commitment then you will ever know - it doesn't speak well of you. R. Farber is right - may you spend a portion of your Yom Kippur doing Teshuva for the sinat chinam you have displayed against real converts.
4 |
undergoing observant (orthodox) conversion,
Sunday Sep 27, 2009
What about children of Jewish men married to gentile women (who had reform/conservative "conversions") and then grow up being told they are Jewish and go to Hebrew school 3 days a week and have a bar mitzvah. Then one day when they are in college and president of Hillel they decide to become observant and investigate what their religion is all about (because they didn't learn that in their outsourced "jewish" education at the "temple" or conservative shul) and discover that no, in fact they aren't Jewish as a result of the reform/conservative movt's. aren't these movements just wonderful?
5 |
Bonnie Canada,
Sunday Sep 27, 2009
I am of the opinion that the more one studies the Torah, in humble belief, the closer one becomes to Hashem. The study of Torah is not only a Command it is also a Blessing.
In this closness to Hashem they have the responsibilty of decisions. This is a very heavy responsibility. It is not and never will be a contest for becoming popular.
Let''s not gripe and groan. Trust in Hashem. He has brought you this far.
6 |
Chris USA,
Monday Sep 28, 2009
To 2: mostconversionsarefrauds Sunday Sep 27,2009 You need justify your assertion of "false conversions". Why is Uriah the Hittite, a convert who married Basheba, the mother of Solomon and undeniably of jewish descent not an authentic convert? Or will you argue that Solomon was a Goyah?Please explain how this can be? Explain how Uriah is disqualified because he married Basheba? Also please offer your "rabbinical" advise for a replacement method for admiring a person and their religion as the path for conversion. Perhaps we are to admire your vitriol?
7 |
David, Jerusalem,
Monday Sep 28, 2009
As to others intentions, I can not know, but my wife and I, both conservative converts, converted out of a love for Ha Shem and felt that being Jewish was the best way to show it. She says that Judaism is the only religion that doesn't insult her intelligence. My rabbi insisted that I divorce my previous wife as she didn't want anything to do with Judaism...does this remind you of an event in the Tenach?
8 |
Ralph Haglund, Sweden,
Tuesday Sep 29, 2009
I left Christianity because of dogma and refusal to defend its anti-Semitism, I am not interested in human inventions, I have serious discussions with my G-d - but after reading some material I now call myself "Noahide" thou I barely know what it is. Orthodox Judaism seems mainly to be to follow tons of human-made rules.
I have spent 30 years defending/explaining Israel and Judaism in Sweden, written tons of explanations, now on my blog [ Link to page ] I know I make a real mitzvah, I had loved to live in Israel, my sis lives in Israel, I feel alienated here in Sweden but......
9 |
Ashirah Dror, Jerusalem,
Tuesday Sep 29, 2009
Conversions for the sake of marriage or expediency have existed throughout history, this is a fact. The Rabbis have to weigh the potential for true benefit or loss to Klal Yisrael and the individual in question before they proceed with any conversion process. However, for the converts who undertake the the year to 7 years (and sometimes longer) process of Orthodox conversion for the sake of Avodat Hashem, Yirat Shamayim and Avahat Yisrael, the horrifying suggestion that their Jewishness, their very identity, could be taken from them is damaging beyond words.
10 |
Shel Zahav,
Tuesday Sep 29, 2009
Many people have their way to twist Yom Kippur to fit their agendas. This is Farber's...
The hard part is twisting yourself to fit Yom Kippur. Not so many people write about that...or even attempt to do it.
11 |
David Columbia, Maryland USA,
Tuesday Sep 29, 2009
In response to #2 and #4, the answer is that what they think only matters inside of Israel and not outside of Israel. That is because the Israel legal system has chosen a path that allows for a form of Orthodox Mullarchy. Mixed couples live in fear in Israel because the Orthodox Rabbinate has been given an inapproriate power that can affect the lives and futures of these couples. Instead of Orthodoxy being a "choice" as it is in the diaspora, it is a requirement. Reform and Conservative theology are relegated to the fringes. There is enough uncertainty from the Iranians and Palestinians.
12 |
Yocheved. Melbourne Australia.,
Tuesday Sep 29, 2009
Amen,
Orthodox Jewess
13 |
sharon Israel,
Tuesday Sep 29, 2009
I was brought up belonging to a Reform shul one of the reasons I left it was because of the 'conversions' I saw. these were academic exercises only ie you went to a few lessons at kindergarten level Judaism you sat an exam if you remembered enough hey you were Jewish!! a bit like studing latin for a year passing a test. and being told you were a Roman.However I believe it is is a disgrace for someone to go through an orthodox conversion for it then to be challenged by another orthodox Rabbi epecially in Israel with all status issues that then ensue
14 |
Bonnie Canada,
Tuesday Sep 29, 2009
Response to #11
In the US, the reform and consersative groups are losing ground. There numbers are growing fewer. They are melting into the nations.
Why have this happen in Israel?
15 |
undergoing observant (orthodox) conversion,
Wednesday Sep 30, 2009
#11: I was being sarcastic when I said reform/conservative is wonderful. I was also describing my own life.
16 |
Avner,
Friday Oct 02, 2009
Why do Diaspora Jews continue to support Israel when the Israelis are so eager to tell us we are second-class Jews who belong to goyish movements? Personally, I am so sick of it all. I visit my Reform synagogue regularly and I am extremely proud of being Jewish and part of a progressive movement that welcomes everybody with an interest in Judaism. And then I come home, turn on the computer to read the latest news from Israel, and as soon as I click on an article about Jewish matters, all I get are these comments where snobbish Israelis talk rubbish about Diaspora Jewry.
17 |
Ben,
Monday Oct 05, 2009
Beautiful R Farber. I am the descendant of an Orthodox convert who recently began becoming observant. When I read about my status being questionable, my interest dropped considerably. Now R Farber I must ask for forgiveness from the Orthodox; for assuming that a vocal Haredi minority is representative of an entire people. Thank you R Farber, I only wish you & like minded people were more vocal. I suspect this would draw more Jews to Judaism.
#16, I could not agree more
18 |
Carla,
Tuesday Oct 06, 2009
Thank you very much R Faber, but we all need to pray for forgiveness, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Secular, we all minimise each others humanity. A Jew is a Jew is a Jew, converts have to be cherished and looked after. A conversion cannot and should not be retroactively revoked.
Not all people convert for the sake of marriage and if they did, so what, I'd rather have Jewish children and a Jewish marriage than have my children declared goy.
19 |
Joseph London,
Sunday Oct 18, 2009
I was one of the many people who condemned the retroactive revoking of the Chief Rabbi's conversions as halachic insanity, but even I feel I didn't say and publish enough. When I see the unwarranted shame and disgrace heaped upon Israel by Cast Lead and Goldstone I think back to the to the unwarranted pain and distress caused to so many converts and I see a link.
20 |
David Newton,
Monday Nov 09, 2009
Shalom Rabbi Farber
This is the word of the Lord to Israel, Yes I have returned to Love Israel and Bless her as the people are doing right but I am still testing you that is why I have not driven out all the ememies of Jerusalem as per Judges 2v22,23 so do not try to build a Temple. I tell you who built the church of nations on Mt Zion is keeping it Holy for Immanuel. Your generation now is in control of the future and receiving Yeshua now...the one described in Isaiah 7v14 and 9v6 are proved by the B'rit Hadasha. Focus on Yeshua and enemies will flee or convert
Your Annointed Prophet
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