Thank you Rabbi. My journey of converting to Judaism hasn't started yet, but my heart is preparing me. No one pushing me, G-d will let me know when he is ready for me.
I feel so compelled right now to convert, and hearing you explain exactly how I feel in this moment is so relieving. You’ve explained feelings I couldn’t find words for. Thank you.
@@jf5177 our savior (Lord Jesus) came in the human form (Judges 13:5) says he will be a nazerite, and the prophet Isaiah said the virgin will give birth to a son (Isaiah 7:14) and (Zechariah 9:9) says he will ride a donkey our Lord was riding a donkey, Repent and ask forgiveness in Jesus name and you will be saved
I am 62 years old. I converted at 16 against the wishes of my family, who immediately disowned me. I think that I have may have been the youngest person in recent times to convert without the participation of his family. This happened in 1977 in New York under the supervision of Rav Moshe Feinstein. At any rate, I believe that a Jew is simply someone who is willing to be honest with himself and suffer for the sake of the truth. This is why the Jews are the eternal people. There are innumerable falsehoods which come and go throughout history with changing circumstances however there is only one truth and it cannot change.
Thank you for this video Rabbi. Your words are both insightful and meaningful. It is not a choice. You either accept yourself, your soul and your destiny or you don’t. Rejection of one’s essence is painful. Acceptance and subsequent returning feels natural.
I am in the process of conversion. I have considered visiting my local Synagogue for many months now but eventually decided I need to study the Torah and other Jewish texts and Jewish way of life before I feel ready to, and I am moving away to Japan shortly where there is practically no Jewish community, especially where I am going in countryside, so I need to spend my time connecting to Judaism individually before I can take proper steps to conversion, as I know it will be a long time to get there. Judaism has been calling to me for well over a year now, but if I think about it its probably longer. My great grandmother was Jewish and although I never met her I have always been fascinated about that part of my family. I liked learning about Judaism my entire life, and I even remember a few years ago feeling really compelled to start wearing a Magen David but I decided not to as I felt it wasn't right to as I hadn't started any form of conversion. I wear one now on a necklace to show my faith to G-d but I hide it as I am only open with one friend about this currently. I completely agree with the idea that its not a choice though. I have clearly been drawn to it my entire life, despite rejecting other religion. I vividly remember how I was raised Christian at school and we often had to pray or had visits to church. But one day my older brother told me I didnt have to be Christian when I was probably about 7 or 8. At that moment I instantly rejected Christianity and for many years I was quite a hardline atheist, but I think I just had this false idea implanted in my head that I had to be one or the other. Slowly Judaism drew me in and now I feel relieved that I can finally accept it. It wasnt any one particular moment at all, I think this feeling was always inside me.
I totally agree with this even on a personal level there is no choice in Judaism....honestly despite forcing myself soooooo many times to let go of this idea of conversion and despite the difficulties and set backs Judaism and I are inseparable....it's really strange but true....at times it's really frustrating too but it's even more frustrating and suffocating going away from Judaism. True we can't fight our destiny and purpose.
Exactly!! It’s not only that, for me it’s a relationship I’m building with HaShem. It is quite difficult to explain so I’ll spare everyone Your messages are so very inspiring. New subscriber! Thank you Rabbi Shalom
Words of wisdom from Rabbi Friedman. Some Jews (by birth into a Jewish family) feel compelled to convert to Christianity. A person's conscience is sacred. Did Jesus (born a Jew) convert to Christianity? No. He remained a Jew all his life. Thank you, Rabbi, for these thought-provoking talks!
I am seriously thinking of converting after a long stint of atheism. I’m hoping to learn a bit more before jumping in, but I feel drawn towards Judaism. Maybe it’s just my head but I really hope this leads me somewhere I’m meant to go
I have always loved Judaism my whole life but i did not expect that some day I'd be that desperate to become a Jew i don't even remember how i got myself so attached to it
Not sure I agree that there are no Jews by choice. I actually think the term should apply mostly to those born into it. It's not an easy life to accept when you're confronted with other lifestyles. The Midrash says the law was offered to others and they rejected it. It's not a gift. It's a contract, and it requires daily affirmation, otherwise why the prayers? The only people compelled to be in this life are those born outside it. You can't forsake options if you don't know the options.
There areany spirits that need to come to earth. There are not enough Jewish people on the earth to give birth to those Jewish spirits, so they have to come to earth through a different set of parents. How wonderful it is when the spirit realizes they're meant to be Jewish, and act on it. I'm so happy that there is no division. May all Jews around the world be protected always. 🙏🇮🇱💙🇮🇱🙏
Can someone help me find in the Torah or Old Testament that says anything about converted Jews? I am a Christian and I always wondered about this. I haven’t seen any examples of it in the Old Testament. I’ve only read that God chose Jews as his people, and there was no mention of ever just “joining” or converting. That to say, you just couldn’t “join” God’s chosen people. The only example I see of this is when God told Peter and Paul to go to the Gentiles and spread the gospel, which is obviously New Testament and Jews don’t believe that. So where would I find examples or information or any story of someone “becoming” a Jew that wasn’t already Hebrew by birth?
my grandfather although not blood related was practicing - he was to raise me but my mother wouldnt let my grandparents raise me. if i would have been adopted I would of been raised under the belief. But i was raised latter day saints / Mormon. I then moved on to chrisitianity later in life. but ive always Felt I should have been a practicing Jew inside myself. Im now 38 and feel it stronger than ever something keeps pulling me towards God. it is very difficult at my age to understand it all when ive been trained my whole life to believe and practice mormonism and chrisitianity.
Is it not the case though that converts are restricted? Eg, I think that Cohens are forbidden to marry converts among the ultra-Orthodox? Is this right?
That was interesting, I have however learned that some people claim that converts are Jewish souls that have been spread to some parts of gentile population, and so there were Jews from the beginning without knowing it. If not, is the idea that the Jewish soul first enters at conversion? What qualities makes certain gentiles predestined for conversation, and not others?
It’s happening to me I suppose. I am going to approach my local beth-din to kick off the process. It’s just an urge and something that pulls me relentlessly!
I am feeling somewhat compelled. But i have all sorts of problems with the philosophy it is grounded in. What do you do if you have serious philosophical differences with.. well, any religion.
A convert to Judaism is a non-Jewish person who takes it upon himself to follow the set of rules that is Judaism. But does that make him a Jew? What makes a Jew a Jew? A Jew is someone who puts his trust in one sole incorporeal G'd and who repudiates idolatry. So if you agree with that and you are a non-Jew then why would you need 'conversion'?
@RudydeGroot the Rabbis who agreed to marry me in an Orthodox synagogue don't agree with your definition of A Jew. I certainly don't put my trust in one sole incorporeal God.
