Is a Convert Surrendering His True Self?

Beautifully explained/answered. This is really experienced like this. Kol Touv Reply

to Shanon Dudden, Aug 5th,2019

Why should a disability stand in the way of conversion? I am an Orthodox Jew and see many disabled frum Jews. One thlng a person needs is to live on the ground floor or have a Shabbos elevator. The other kinds of "Judaism" you mentioned are not Judaism at all. Reply

This speaks to my heart, and it says "yes, this is what is true". In my heart and soul I know that I have been on this journey to come home. My home is Judaism. I am 53 and converting. I thank you for this "This is who he always was—always someone who did not fit in. He did not fit into the place from whence he comes, and now he comes from there to fit in among us." Reply

I am surprised by the number of converts who feel slighted by the Jewish community. I think that perception comes from within the convert’s own psyche. You have to accept your own pre-conversion background which will always have a profound effect on you. In my case my former life was blessed, I was not trying to flee from it. Now, as a Jewish woman I am doubly blessed. I have never felt inferior to a born Jew. I have experienced nothing but the legendary warmth of the Jews and their respect and admiration for my learning.
Try to imagine what it means to become a member of G-d’s Chosen People; what an incredible honour, what a destiny! It isn’t easy and should not be so. Also we know that G-d himself loves the convert and draws him or her in. Have confidence and rejoice. Reply

In a way you have converted. If you have to live as in the Jewish Community, then as I said, how can it be undone? I regard my life, as being part of the Jewish Community with all its ups and downs.
The still small voice of reason, says, no to certain practices with Christianity. No, to going into a church, no to cremation, and this is difficult when a parent dies. Some members of family, still question my Jewish connections, but I believe its part of my commitment.
Have faith, HaShem is a loving parent and he is there for us.
I'm sorry, for the time's I've weakened, then my strength through HaShem returns. I am stronger.
This was never going to be easy, now I understand. Reply

I do agree you should not remind a convert of his past but to accept with no distinctions because he/she was always one of us?? Shouldn't you wait until there convertion is complete to feel that way? Do you think everyone who want to convert is a true convert? Have you ever met someone who decided not to convert? Reply

I just wanted to say, this is the best piece of writing I have ever read about a true 'convert,' in their heart they were always already with us. Beautiful. Reply

As I have been in more contact with the Jewish Community, learning is something I do every day.
The true meaning of Shalom, the way HaShem forgives, he knows me better than I know myself.
Beautiful thoughts and prayers from my Tribe in Israel.
Good Shabbos, Shalom, may you find the true meaning of these words. Also, remember, HaShem knows and sees all, he knows us better than we know ourselves.
There is nothing I could add to any further blogs. Reply

Dear Rabbi Ayreh Moshen,

Sincerely, I ask you to find the article titled “The Lost Jews of Latin America Return” from Rivka Levy’s blog, give it a good read-through, and offer words of advice and encouragement in the comments. She’s trying to figure out solid solutions for people who are having tremendous difficulty. You sound like you would be able to offer chizuk, encouragement!

Perhaps stepping away when you see HaShem just isn’t opening that path for you at the moment is OK, but persevere and return to the possibility later in life. I don’t want to wait around and return in another incarnation as a Jew, I want to be one in this lifetime. HaShem arranged for me to become good friends with another local family desiring to convert, and I pray it is His will that we can support each other through the process.

In any case, I have lots and lots of hitbodedut in my future on the topic. Reply

There should perhaps be an entire thread on fitting in versus sticking out like a sore thumb. And it has little to do with colour or the shape of one's eyes or lips (although these are factors). It has more to do with how one dresses, how one grooms her/himself, and especially how one talks. And included here is how one relates to parents-in-laws and siblings-in-law. These are things that one does not pick up from a book but one does pick up from spending time or living with an orthodox family. This does not mean that I am minimizing the academic studies - learning how to read Hebrew, learning how to pray, learning the various blessings, how to observe the Sabbath, Holidays, etc. These are all important. Not everyone will be able to do it. And for some the financial requirements will be too great. I respect those who try but are unable to complete their conversions for various reasons - they too will be rewarded for their efforts... Reply

Dear Molly,

I both agree and disagree with you. You're right that converts are quite often given a run-around and not given the right information. That's why a student of mine convinced me to join a yahoo group, orthodox conversion to Judaism about 15 years ago and why I wrote "The Gerus Guide". I and others try to guide conversion candidates to universally accepted Batey Din whenever possible. We discuss what is legit and what is not legit in terms of fees and suggested donations. It is, however, possible for a good candidate to complete a conversion with minimal costs and in less than two years if the conditions are ripe. Not everyone can convert and someone who cannot should consider her/his options. But we believe that each potential candidate should know what is expected, which mountains to climb, and that bailing out is an acceptable option (although I try to get everyone in when possible).
Wishing you success. Reply

I’ve noticed all the articles on Chabad about the convert are the idealistic. Not the reality.

Because in reality potential converts are sent through unnecessary, extraneous trials. Asked to give huge amounts of “charity” to qualify. Denied authenticity by the chief rabbinate. Told by their local Jewish communities that they just “don’t do” conversions.

There are more than 70 articles on Chabad.org relating to conversion and converts. And none of them dare to tackle the reality of the situation across the globe.

People don’t want to be Bnei Noach. They want to be Jews. I understand the process is hard to begin with. I’m down to tackle anything my rabbi throws at me. But first I have to have a rabbi who is willing to oversee my conversion. Nowhere to be found. Look at a recent article on rivka levy . com to see more in depth the problems converts are going through. Reply

I love it ! Yes I agree.
Sometimes the spirit just doesn’t fit else where. For me it was until I found the Jewish people.
Then I get at home. Sometimes I would walk about shopping and see people some how wishing to smile at them. Then I noticed a jewish star and smiled some more Reply

Apparently, becoming a "member of the tribe" has been an issue since torah times, as the topic is addressed in the torah more than once. And a message that's very clear in the torah about converts is that a convert is no longer a "ger", but a member of the tribe as fully as a born member. There's even a verse that states that the convert who sincerely converts is (and i paraphrase here) more righteous or precious to G-d than a born member. And, for the very reason that a sincere convert truly accepts and believes Judaism where many born members simply inherit their Judaism. Unfortunately, i don't think that a convert just imagines that s/he is not jewish enough to born members. But, what matters is what is in the eye of G-d and for that I would look to the torah. Reply

Once a scape goat, always a scape goat, apparently. "Eventually, he will be absorbed and become completely one of us—for, like himself, we are the people that never fit in amongst the nations." This is the quote from the article, but this has not been my experience. The one thing that I thought when I converted was that I was now amongst those that are different and that I so related to and that I would some how fit in. I seem not to. Once a scape goat, always a scape goat it seems. Now I am the scape goat of the scape goats. Reply

I am quite "outside" of where I come from, for as long as I can remember. Since 1992, I have read, had countless conversations with Jews, always loved Israel, always hated anti-semitic jokes, even with severe painful disagreements with family....I have read and studied Hebrew, to write, on my own accord. Now, at 60, I have turned into too many blind alleys, too many insults, directly and subtle, indifference and animosity, to my beliefs, by my "own kind",of where I physically landed...in a Christian world, I don't know the reason why. I want to belong where I have always wanted to be, after years of coming near and drawing back, it has never left me, always to return....I am scared of the insults, rejection, mocking, cruelty, possible from friends and family when I finally do that. But I need to belong, to have meaning to my life, and I cannot tear out of me that which is deeply ingrained..... Reply

I saw a story where the Rebbe of blessed memory, said a ger isn't really converting at all. They have a Jewish neshama and are just correcting the outside to match the inside. I've always loved that explanation. It feels absolutely right to me. Reply

Born Jewish, bought up Ger. Now learning Hebrew and starting Schul. Does it make a big difference. I'm part of the Nation, do not feel left out. I support the Nation any way I can. Would love to join IDF,But am too old Reply

Daniel, thank you I have begun to feel simply Jewish. I often say I am Jewish.

The subject of Conversion can be a little difficult, I am told to live as a Jew, so in that case I become a Jew. You can't be half one thing and half another. Reply