Opinion
Conversion to Judaism is the answer
Lawrence J. Epstein
Published: 09.05.14, 21:13
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46 Talkbacks for this article
1. American Jews are a lost cause - Jewish future is in Israel
Tomer ,   IL   (05.09.14)
2. Great article!
Rachel ,   Chicago, IL   (05.09.14)
Conversion has never been as difficult as nowadays, and that's so pointless.
3. What is Israel going to do when the Moshiach brings ALL.....
Esther ,   Israel   (05.09.14)
people with Jewish roots back to Israel? Is Israel and its rabbinate READY?
4. Right. Rabbienuts need more victims to cut off!
Professor ,   Israel   (05.09.14)
You have to plug the drain before you try to fill the tub.
5. The conversions in Israel
Moshe ,   Israel   (05.09.14)
The religious establishment here is not interested in increasing the number of Jews, but religious Jews, and to my impression, mostly Hharedi Jews. Thus they enlarge their constituency, more religious Knesset members are elected, and their parliamentary influence is growing. It is particularly important for the Hharedim, who can thereby extort more funds and benefits for their parasite public.
6. An idea!!!
Ariel ,   Argentina   (05.10.14)
And has nobody had the idea that if perhaps a Palestinian State is created next to Israel, where Arabs will live, the Jewish State of Israel will have a chance to survive? The settler's policy is the true antijewish, antisemitic and antiisraeli policy. If we want to help the Jewish people the best thing we can do is try to create a state next to Israel where Arabs can live, so Israel will remain a little smaller, but ultimately Jewish. Trying to preserve everything, we run the risk of losing it all. The true antisemites are the ones who defend right-wing Israeli policies.
7. to AJ Rothman (on FB): you havent imagined her in 25, 30 years-LOL
(05.10.14)
8. #1 The future of American Jews
Moshe ,   Israel   (05.10.14)
For Israel, the American Jewry is more helpful when resides in the U.S., than being settled in the Holy Land, both due to their financial support, and the political assistance (you have probably heard of AIPAC). In addition, how can a small country like Israel absorb more 4-5 million immigrants, most of them belonging to the Democratic Party, which under Obama's inspiration wants Israel to shrink and return to the pre 1967 borders ?
9. to AJ Rothman (on FB): you havent imagined her in 25, 30 years - -LOL
(05.10.14)
10. Rabbis here can't deal with the few conversion candidates...
Moti ,   Israel   (05.10.14)
they have now and turn down most who want to convert. They don't WANT to work or do conversions.
11. Can't you just accept people with their differences?
Non Jewish immigrant ,   Haifa   (05.10.14)
Why would you change me? Why shouldn't my Jewish partner concert to Christianism instead? Why do you keep trying to control our lives? Accept the reality: there are non Jews who lives and settle in Israel with or without Jewish partners Stop trying to rule over people's lives!!!!
12. #3 One with Jewish roots is already Jewish
Sam ,   PT   (05.10.14)
and does not need conversion. #2 That's because we Jews are a proud nation and are not interested in non-Jews in our midst. Converts who are not ready to fully abide by Jewish law, are not welcome among our holy nation. Those who are ready, have no problem being converted but it takes a while to see their sincerity.
13. It is indeed the answer if converts acts..
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (05.10.14)
like Jews hitler knew the value of Judaism and the holy books For that reason the nazis were ordered to destroy every holy book they found . Orthodox Jews didn't get exit visas since the nazis thought they have the power to rebuild Judaism that they seek to destroy. They ware aware that as long the Talmud existed, they would not succeed to be the master of the world. Thus,fake converts are not the answer to a strong long lasting Jewish land. However,the answer is to instil to the Secular Jews the pride of belonging to the people of the Book,and the desire to discover their precious heritage,the Tora.
14. conversion is the proper response.
ralph   (05.10.14)
15. Keep Torah or Convert - contradictory these days
Orthodox convert ,   Israel   (05.10.14)
The rabbis have reformed the rules. These days you can either do your best to keep Torah OR you can join the elite racist club of "The Chosen," enslaving yourself to the rabbis. 20 years from now, if they're not pleased with you, when your children apply to marry -- you'll find yourself kicked out of their elite club. Conversion these days is a probation that can be undone at anytime until well after death. The two are contradictory. You can't do both. Do your best to keep Torah as you are. The Creator of all of us is not a racist. Neither is His Torah.
16. Jewish law forbids encouraging conversion.
Miron ,   USA   (05.10.14)
Torah teaches that the only way for a man to be a Jewish is for the G-d to select this man. Any kind of "encouragement" is considered a sin equal to murder and is foretold to bring about an end to Jewish nation, if such is to happen.
17. Let's hope that the Arabs will supply us with reason to be
tom ,   tel aviv   (05.10.14)
united against common enemy, for a long time into the future. Otherwise we're headed for a civil strife (war if you wish) between the forces of Religious Darkness and Freedom Worshippers. Jewish secular life outside of Israel is pointless and they should feel free to marry anyone they please, conversion or not.
18. EPSTEIN \for his Mission see key-word: LAWRENCE. . -and remember: Jews only will lose !
(05.10.14)
19. All that long sermon of that advisor in some words: FISH AND MEAT in one soup ,almost uneatable
(05.10.14)
20. EPSTEIN one more on his US+EU MISSION to mix world back to Pharaohs Rulings--and erase Moses!
(05.10.14)
exactly that, what US / EU is doing since several time in preparation (and addition) with masculine and feminine-mixtures !!! (-> GENDERISM !!). Or see Hebrew site..!
21. All that long sermon of that advisor in some words: FISH AND MEAT in one soup ,almost uneatable
(05.10.14)
22. EPSTEIN -for his Mission see key-word: LAWRENCE. . -and remember: Jews only will lose !
(05.10.14)
23. Why do religions exist?
A.C.Guard ,   USA   (05.11.14)
I stopped going to services when I began to think why am I listening to a sermon delivered by a guy who knows no more than I do. Why is there so much singing. In fact why would a just god allow for all the atrocities throughout the world and subject his people to horrible disease and painful death. Then it dawned on me that all religions, from the beginning of time, are nothing more than a way to keep people in tow. Nothing more.
24. 13 Add.and discover what a privilege
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (05.11.14)
it is for Jews to have their own land and thus deciding to make Alyah.
25. defining Judaism
Antoine Levy ,   Helsinki, Finland   (05.11.14)
All those people will want to convert in order to become Jews, not because they have found truth in Jewish religious faith and practice. But what is conversion if not embracing a new religion? The only possibility to avoid turning conversion into some sort of disgusting buffoonery is to redefine the criteria of Jewish faith and practice. Obviously, the Orthodox or even the Conservative notions will not work.
26. Some Reasons
Dan ,   USA   (05.11.14)
Jews in America are leaving the religion because they believe one need not go to a temple to pray to god, nor does one need a rabbi an an intermediator. They question is there a god and why should, or must, there be one. They are not, for the most part, leaving to go to another religion, they just do not practice any religion.
27. More importantly, those who want to have eternal life MUST
Rivkah   (05.11.14)
become Jews in their hearts. It is not a choice. MUST become Jews in their hearts is the key to the door of eternal life since only those who believe Proverbs 30:4,5 and Isaiah chapter 53 can enter the eternal kingdom. The Jewish Messiah Yahoshua said those who love Him would obey His Commandments. Yah's Commandments are not the laws of Emperor Constantine that the Sunday Sabbath churches obey. Yah's Commandments are not the Koran or the Buddhist or Hindu books of faith. Yah's Commandments are the JEWISH faith, the Hebrew faith, the laws of Moses in one's heart with the understanding of who the Jewish Messiah is and that He fulfilled the Spring Feasts of Elohim and will return to fulfill the Fall Feasts or Appointed Times of Elohim. I believe there are many theophanies of Elohim and a Scofield Reference Bible chain reference on theophanies will reveal that the Son of Elohim has been on the earth many times but principally to fulfill the Appointed Times of Elohim. Only those who are Jews in their hearts know the Father and the Son. Conversion to Judaism in the heart is NOT OPTIONAL unless one does not want to go to heaven. ONLY THOSE WHO ARE JEWS IN THIER HEARTS ENTER THE ETERNAL KINGDOM. That is why there are so few people who are going to heaven. They don't want to be Jews or to learn how to be Jews in their hearts and they don't want the Holy Spirit leading them in that direction. ANYTHING, but to be a Jew is acceptable to other religions. ANYTHING but what pleases Elohim is acceptable to other religions. But ONLY becoming Jews in their hearts leads to eternal life because the Jewish Messiah was and is and always will be a Jew.
28. 2 Rachel, Chicago: If it was easy, everyone would go to
Rivkah   (05.11.14)
heaven. It is extraordinarily difficult to become a Jew in one's heart and only by the Ruach HaKadosh is it possible. Becoming a Jew in one's heart and believing in the Jewish Messiah Yahoshua is the key to eternal life. ALL others go to hell.
29. The fake conversion illusion
yoni the jew ,   jewish homeland   (05.11.14)
Culberson to Judaism must happen in a truthful way or it can be more devastating than intermarriage to the nation. It is only real if the non jew actually wants to practice Judaism. If not there is no reason for it whatsoever and the damage can be really terrible to the nation having lots of non Jews pretending to be Jews but not practicing any Judaism. This would spell the end of the Jewish nation as we know it.
30. 25Antoine What will work better than
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (05.11.14)
the Orthodox version ,that worked more than 3000 years.Show me ONE population or nation that lasted as long as the Jewish people.
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