For Pillar26 - Orthodox conversion versus other types

[RoyBolinggoing]

Your videos are fantastic!

[hineni53]

Who cares about Israel. They take our money and you don't hear any bitching from them.

[BeauMatane]

Fundamentally, I agree with the Reform Movement, in that the Oral & Written Torah, being, "Divinely Inspired." Reason for this - The contrast would eliminate the principal of "Free Will", wouldn't it ?! This, validates the Reform Movement.

[hineni53]

I am so sick and tired of these Jews who say who and who are not Jews. Who is to decide..... Maybe it is G-d ? Many of these orthodox jews worship halakcha just as one worships idols. Worship G-d not law.

[betheman002]

i am middle eastern(christian) and would like to become Jewish will i be discriminated against when i live in Israel? please reply

[sarebair]

@betheman002 It's going to depend on who you meet in Israel. If the people have true jewish hearts and soles then they shouldn't discriminate. They will love you for who you are and treat you with respect. However you will always meet people who make exceptions up in there mind as to why discrimination is the answer. Keep your head up when you meet them because they are not acting according to the torah. For the most part though Israel is a very accepting place.

[pillar26]

Barukh atah Hashem Eloheinu melekh ha'olam, dayan ha-emet.

RIP - You are missed.

[wesmartino64]

Very informative video. Thank you.

[brokendownhoarse]

As I understand at this point is the onlyconversion excepted by Israel's rabbinate is one under a Harei Rabbi in Israel.All others are suspect.there were a few rabbi's in the that were OK but that was changed.I can understand reasons but it causes problems.Later when there children,now what. should they convert?Is it acceptibale? problems.

[codej0]

I'm not trying to be a pill or anything. I'm just tired of seeing Xians & Messianics playing "dress up" and calling their ministers "Rabbi" and claiming that they're part of the so-called "Long Lost Tribes of Israel," etc. I don't even know how such people can be considered Noachides, when they believe that a man is HaShem Himself, because that's idolatry, no? I don't have a beef with the historical man. I just don't like seeing people convert when they're sailing under false colors.

[WelpeBaumgarten]

That might be a naive question now, but what do these "Xians & Messianics" win, when they end up as Noachides or convert to judaism?? Wouldn't they get constant discussions and questionings?

[codej0]

I don't know what they win. Perhaps they convert to gain a sense of security, belonging and/or self-esteem? Some might desire a "rabbinic ordination" only to leave Judaism and start a Messianic congregation. Some might convert simply to immigrate to Israel. I'm sure that their motives are many and varied. Yes, some might eventually realize that the historical man is not HaShem Himself and abandon their idolatry. Deception is a seductive mistress, which, in the end, becomes a cruel task master.

[WelpeBaumgarten]

So the big danger for the true converts is to end up or in a distrustful community and never being accepted 100 percent or get refused by a Rabbi who already met too many insane cases.

[codej0]

I guess that's the question. How does one separate the "true converts" from individuals who are not truly repentant and/or who might have a hidden agenda? The Jewish people have 1,800 years worth of reasons for exercising caution where non-Jews and would-be converts are concerned, no?

[pillar26]

I appreciate the response and there was no offense taken at all. I respect your opinions and wanted a candid answer Thank you.

[codej0]

Conversion requirements ought to be made stricter to prevent the Messianics and other Xian sectarians from trying to slide under the radar, because the vast majority of them continue to believe that the historical man is HaShem Himself or some 3-in-1 combination of HaShem. Not matter how you slice it, such beliefs are avodah zarah (foreign worship), they don't mesh with Zech. 8:23 and they have no place within Judaism.

[pillar26]

How much more strict would you suggest the requirements be than those outlined for a halakhic conversion? I also have to ask if you know first hand the experience of converting. There are all sorts of stories about how easy it is, but that has not been my experience nor that of other folks I've met undergoing the process.

[ronennachman770]

I think the currect halachik requirements are strict enough! I know many people who have gone through this process and it is not easy! It's one thing to test for sincerity - it's another thing to make it a burden on the person...

[codej0]

I have no experience with conversions, but I agree with Ronen.

The current requirements are strict enough. However, there are an increasing number of Messianics flying in under the radar.

Is it because the right kind of questions aren't being asked? Is it because these Messianics are telling half-truths or outright lies?

What's the solution? Better (stricter) screening? I'm just saying Xian and Messianic avodah zarah should not be tolerated when it comes to Orthodox conversions.

[ronennachman770]

It doesn't really scare me that some people who are insincere are converting for this reason - what they are saying is that they will take on the entire Torah.

That being the case, the harm lies only with them. If someone converts and then abandons the Torah, his judgement must be very harsh as he can't claim to be ignorant.

These people are really only hurting themselves.

The only danger becomes when they marry religious people and then decide it's not for them. That is sad...

[codej0]

If a non-Jew doesn't repudiate idolatry, then how can they be considered a Jew? Ultimately, if unchecked, the Yezter HaRa (Evil Imagination) leads one to idolatry. One must suffer martyrdom rather than engage in an act of sexual immorality, murder &/or idolatry. Where's the Kiddush HaShem in someone believing that Jesus is HaShem Himself? Should such a person be part of a minyan? Should such a person be considered a Ger Toshav (or a Ger Tzedek) & be supported by Klal Israel?