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Conversion to Judaism
A non-Jew who converts to Judaism is called ger
or ger tsedek [Hebrew, "righteous newcomer"]. For men, this
act
requires circumcision and bathing in the mikvah in the
presence of three
judges (dayan), and observation of all religious laws, the
halakhas.
Women are required to have a ritual bath. Conversion means a
change in
one's original identity. Proselytes were regarded as the
newborn
children of Abraham and Sarah, which is also why they often
took those
names. All their sins were forgiven. Religious laws require
that someone
wanting to convert be refused three times.
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From the Middle Ages, converting to Judaism was
forbidden in all Christian countries and carefully
concealed. In order
to avoid persecution, proselytes sought refuge in Muslim
countries.
During the Reformation and the Counterreformation, members
of radical
religious movements (Judaizers) were accused of conversion.
The
best-known example of conversion was that of Count Walentyn
Potocki in
Amsterdam. When he refused to renounce his new faith, he was
burned at
the stake in Wilno in 1749. (H.W./CM)
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