I have taught candidates for conversion in the past and may perhaps do so again. Conversion to Judaism is chancy from both sides. But on some level the wager is worth it with a serious proviso. One must commit, which means being a stakeholder. That is the great challenge.
I have learnt so much from teaching candidates for conversion. Even witnessing the journeys pre and psot Oct 7th has been very revealing.. agreed, re: the great challenge.
Brilliant framing. The tension between seeing Judaism as inheritance vs ongoing responsibility cuts right to the core. Yitro didnt just convert, he restructured the entire judicial system because he took on the covenant as a stakeholder. That clarity of perspective from outsiders is something I've noticed in lots of contexts, they see the inefficiencies that insiders have normalized. The post-October 7 observation about converts stepping foward is especially powerful and honestly pretty humbling for those of us who were born into it.
Thank you! Yes - re, clarity of perspective from outsiders. A while ago, I came across Robert Park's Marginal Man Theory which is illuminating here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marginal_man_theory
"Moments like these make me think of a striking rabbinic claim about conversion: converts are said to have been present at Sinai.
"I’ve always been struck by how radical that idea is. If only the Jewish people stood at Sinai, how could someone who was not yet Jewish have been there?"
Because the person who emerges reminds us that Judaism is not a finished inheritance. It is an unfinished responsibility."
Excellent article Mijal with regards to the parsha Yitro, and one of my favourite parashot, and most touching as well! Wow and generally speaking as well, we do need such welcoming and heartfelt contributions more especially in the current global state of affairs! Here by Rabbi Mordechai Becher from over a decade ago is the best explanation I have studied: There are the lineal descendants of Abraham and Sarah. But as he explains there is also in Genesis a galactic space for the SPIRITUAL children of Abraham and Sarah. Or "both"! https://youtu.be/43kJBmqrhWg?si=N4obrQg3RPMnjOap We number as the stars, though some have yet to find their OWN way (back!), inspired otherwise also by our visible example as we all perform our mitzvot instinctively as well. And we are together no matter how we found ourselves where not only we feel we must be, but in reality all along where we have always been. :) Similar to as stated in other contexts as well, as far as we have come since Exodus, how much farther we are helping each other for where we must go as we include the Kibbutz Galuyot well beyond the borders of Eretz Yisrael. There were those joining us then during Exodus or following us and welcome at the very least, and of course there are always those openly or quietly asking questions as they ponder their own choices. Though I know quite a few object either in principle or in practice even though agreeing in principle, we should welcome those asking questions as we refer them to study as they begin their own respective journeys and make their own decisions, wherever they might lead, with rabbinim.
Agreed! I think also about the beautiful letter by Maimonides to one who converted who asked if they can use language claiming descent from Abraham and Sarah and his unequivocal yes - and he wasn't what many would consider a mystic.
I have taught candidates for conversion in the past and may perhaps do so again. Conversion to Judaism is chancy from both sides. But on some level the wager is worth it with a serious proviso. One must commit, which means being a stakeholder. That is the great challenge.
I have learnt so much from teaching candidates for conversion. Even witnessing the journeys pre and psot Oct 7th has been very revealing.. agreed, re: the great challenge.
Thank you for pointing out the connection between Yitro and yoter.
So beautiful - thanks for sharing ❤️
Thank you, Amanda! Miss you :)
Beautiful. I love your dvarim. I am forwarding this one to my rabbi.
That means a lot to me, thank you, Sharon!
Brilliant framing. The tension between seeing Judaism as inheritance vs ongoing responsibility cuts right to the core. Yitro didnt just convert, he restructured the entire judicial system because he took on the covenant as a stakeholder. That clarity of perspective from outsiders is something I've noticed in lots of contexts, they see the inefficiencies that insiders have normalized. The post-October 7 observation about converts stepping foward is especially powerful and honestly pretty humbling for those of us who were born into it.
Thank you! Yes - re, clarity of perspective from outsiders. A while ago, I came across Robert Park's Marginal Man Theory which is illuminating here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marginal_man_theory
שבת שלום
Shavua tov!
"Moments like these make me think of a striking rabbinic claim about conversion: converts are said to have been present at Sinai.
"I’ve always been struck by how radical that idea is. If only the Jewish people stood at Sinai, how could someone who was not yet Jewish have been there?"
Because the person who emerges reminds us that Judaism is not a finished inheritance. It is an unfinished responsibility."
Excellent article Mijal with regards to the parsha Yitro, and one of my favourite parashot, and most touching as well! Wow and generally speaking as well, we do need such welcoming and heartfelt contributions more especially in the current global state of affairs! Here by Rabbi Mordechai Becher from over a decade ago is the best explanation I have studied: There are the lineal descendants of Abraham and Sarah. But as he explains there is also in Genesis a galactic space for the SPIRITUAL children of Abraham and Sarah. Or "both"! https://youtu.be/43kJBmqrhWg?si=N4obrQg3RPMnjOap We number as the stars, though some have yet to find their OWN way (back!), inspired otherwise also by our visible example as we all perform our mitzvot instinctively as well. And we are together no matter how we found ourselves where not only we feel we must be, but in reality all along where we have always been. :) Similar to as stated in other contexts as well, as far as we have come since Exodus, how much farther we are helping each other for where we must go as we include the Kibbutz Galuyot well beyond the borders of Eretz Yisrael. There were those joining us then during Exodus or following us and welcome at the very least, and of course there are always those openly or quietly asking questions as they ponder their own choices. Though I know quite a few object either in principle or in practice even though agreeing in principle, we should welcome those asking questions as we refer them to study as they begin their own respective journeys and make their own decisions, wherever they might lead, with rabbinim.
Agreed! I think also about the beautiful letter by Maimonides to one who converted who asked if they can use language claiming descent from Abraham and Sarah and his unequivocal yes - and he wasn't what many would consider a mystic.
❤️💯💯❤️
Thank you!