Sunday, October 21, 2012

Megillat Ruth, 1:16

In Biblical times, this statement would have marked Rut’s conversion to the Hebrew religion and her acceptance by the God of Israel. Do you think a statement—or an internal wish—of this sort should be the only rite of conversion needed by a person who wishes to join the Jewish people? Why or why not?

1 comment:

  1. I do not think an internal wish should be the only thing needed for conversion. There should be a more concrete way to convert to Judaism because in many respects, Judaism is a lifestyle choice, (keeping kosher, going to shul, celebrating shabbat), so a person should have to go through a bigger process to be sure they actually want to become Jewish and won't change their minds days after converting.

    Also, if it is so simple for a person to become Jewish,the same must be true for leaving Judaism as well. In other words, if a person can just wish themselves into Judaism, it is only logical that they can also wish themselves out. That would be a problem because it would be difficult to sustain concrete Jewish communities with various people joining and leaving the religion at will.

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