Must a Convert Honor His Biological Parents?

So if a man converts and he's considered "born again", and he keeps the rules of not touching females, can he still hug his mother? Reply

I am in the on a path to conversion. I have a follow up question, are we REQUIRED by Torah to honor our biological parents? Especially if they are super aposed to conversion? They are evangelical, they are very disrespectful to me and my family, who my wife and children ARE Jewish. Reply

Rabbi so if we the nations obey the Torah,the teaching and instructions of G-D ,are we part of the root of Isreal? Reply

i think the title is incorrect. it should be "MAY" a convert honer his parents? Reply

My father was not Jewish My great Aunt Lola informed me when I was in late 20's I am Jewish. I am very close to my fathers family. He was not Jewish. My grandparents did not tell my mother or uncle we were Jewish. My Grandmother was Jewish, her mother, on back were Jewish. I first learned the history, culture, then the spirituality. I do not feel as I belong anywhere at times. My fathers side is not very accepting of my being Jewish or the least bit observant. At times I do not feel welcomed by my Jewish encounters. Converting would be a difficult transition. I am 57 now Reply

Parents of the Ger It can be reduced to what is Jewish and what is not. Yiskar, Shiva, Kaddish, Yarhtzeit, etc are distinctly Jewish. Honor, respect, communication, love, care, sharing of course are B'nai Noah as well and are shared by all righteous people.
When in doubt, look it up first and then confirm with your Rabbi. Reply

non-jewish parents it is clear that Jewish law requires one honor their parents. I have said Kadish for
both of my dead parents. Would you give them less than you would have BEFORE
your became Jewish? Reply

Converts and thier parents Jews also believe that we choose our parents before being born into this life. This is because the situation we are born into provides the opportunities for learning, growth and spiritual elevation.
Yes, it is sometimes painful for all parties involved when this life calling has been made - but we must try our best to be as respectful as possible to each other and empathise with those who this hurts. If it makes one feel any better, this is understood by each soul on the higher planes.
I have been working for 15 years to be converted - obviously, lessons still need to be learned. I will merit HaShem's grace when He is ready for me (or I Him)! Reply

Converts join a new family Sorry to be the downer but a convert does not sit Shiva for biological parents, nor does he/she recognize the same familial role. My husband converted and much was said about this during the process. A lot of it is actually to protect the biological parents who G-d chose to bring the convert into the world. Liability law, etc. But it is something so important to address before conversion there is no sugar-coating. Once you come out of the mikvah you are Jewish and they are not. It has to be considered seriously. Plus, we had to inform my husband's family why we could not attend their marriage or funeral ceremonies in churches. It is what it is. G-d loves everyone and this is not about that. It is about a Jewish commitment, a Jewish life and a Jewish Covenant. Noahides are equally cherished. Choose wisely with educated and compassionate rabbis. Once a Jew always a Jew. Kol tuv. Reply

A Convert Honoring thier Biological Parents B"H I believe this is one of those questions one should consult a rabbi or two for an answer. But at the same time, as was written, the physical side of Life is also important. Bringing Holiness into THIS world, is called, Tikkun HaOlam, Repairing the world. Even if one's earthly parents are in darkness, Once HaShem has brought the Light of Torah into a persons' life, it becomes that persons' responsibility to shine what they were given from on high, unto even the most wretched of places, for it is HaShem who steers everything into its' proper place. I know of a few, whose parents were drug addicts. After their conversion, they took it upon themselves to do an intervention of their parents. It worked. The parents did not become Jewish, but they got clean & sober and began making a difference to others in the Recovery field. Even if it seems hopeless, remember that All of the darkness cant stop the light of a single candle, unless you allow it. Reply

Actions can be commanded. Feelings cannot be commanded. "Honour" can have 2 meanings:- (1) behave properly towards the people/deity you are honouring; (2) Feel respect for the people/deity you are honouring.

It makes sense to command people to act properly. Indeed I hope that my behaviour towards people whose morals or opinions I despise is such that they have no idea what I really think about them.

It makes no sense to command people to have an emotion or opinion. Emotions arise from the actions of others, and opinions come about when one thinks about things. I know parents whose children would need to be masochists if they honoured their parents in the emotional sense.

As a parent I have absolutely no desire to be honoured by my children because of a command. They behave properly because they are decent people. They are autonomous people and can have opinions which are not the same as mine, just as long as they have thought about their opinions.

The convert should continue to honour his biological parents in the behaviour sense. Reply

It is a command to honor thy father and mother. Reply

great answer, I am hoping to convert. My father has been dead for over 25 years, my mom isn't Jewish, but my father was. He and Mom hid the fact he was Jewish from me until last month. when I told her I had been attending a synagogue for the last 2 and a half years. and recently completed the Intro to Judaism class. planning on converting. She was happy for me.. My children who are Roman Catholic on the other hand are gown, my grandchildren don't understand why I want to be Jewish, My answer is: I have always felt I am. Now God says its time to make that change and make it happen.. I just wish I had a Rabbi like the one that answered your question... mine doesn't back my conversion, or anyone from the gentile faith for that matter.. Good luck.. Wish you the best in the future. .Lechayim
Casey Reply

Honoring those antagonistic toward you I agree with "Anonymous"'s post, 6/26. There are parents who expect their kids to turn out like clones of themselves, and any time the child makes a choice that differs from parental preference, the parent gives the child a hard time to the point of excommunication. Perfect example, Jewish parents whose child marries out of the faith. Can also occur with non-Jewish parents whose child decides to convert to another religion, and also a problem with a child who "comes out" and is gay. I did experience abuse (mental and physical) as a child, and it was impossible to "honor" my mother, as I interpret "honor." Did I say nasty things about her behind her back? Yes, but they were true; she did hit me, she did throw me out of the house. Should I never opened my mouth to tell someone? Who knows; 40, 50 years ago people didn't talk about these things. I could write more but no more room here. Reply

I just want to mention that honoring parents whether Jewish or convert goes only so far. If parents If parents are antagonistic towards Judaism and want you to be less Jewish--you stay firm and do not honor them by being "less" Jewish. If they hate Judaism and everything Jewish, no honor necessary. separate yourself.
Sometimes honor is just not saying anything--stop communicating. Reply

What is the actual definition of honoring your parents? Torah just says to do it, but does not say how. There are all kinds of answers, depending on who you ask.
My biological parents hated me for converting, they badmouthed everything I did, even to my own children, and constantly told my children I was in the wrong, and encouraged them to disrespect me and Judaism.
I have had to break all communication with my biological family, how is one to honor someone that would do that? Regardless of the definition. Reply

Is the child of a convert required to honor his father who converted after the son was born? Reply

Conversion When I turned 18 I sought out the local temple and went through the conversion process. Something I had wanted since I was 8 years old. The Rabbi was very strict and I have never regretted my decision. My parents were Roman Catholic and we extremely supportive. For a person so young to make such a dramatic life change can only be attribited to the type of people who raised them.
They spent almost as much time meeting with the Rabbi as I did, now 49 years later they are gone but I have always honored them and sat Shiva for them with the help of my local Jewish friends. Reply

Some relatives - uncles and siblings married non-Jews. Our relationship was always warm. They even provided separate dishes and kosher food when I visited. But when I married and had my first child, I thought about the possible effects of sanctioning their marriage on my children. The solution - move to Israel! I still love my uncles and non-Jewish cousins - from afar and via internet. But my children are holy, shomrei mitzvot living in our holy land! Reply

i belive, that If you are now jewish it is because G´d arranged everything in this world to somehow put that beautiful neshama in you. In my opinion we should be thankfull for the creator and the highest dimensions, all the way down to the earthly and micoscopic dimensions. parents are somewhere around there in between.. you should be respectfull and very greatfull. and so should they. Reply