Conversion and the Consequences

B"H

In case anyone of you is planning a blog in German, he should definitely write about the subject "Conversion to Judaism". As soon as you write people will just jump onto your blog.

No, seriously, in these days it seems that thousands of people want to convert to Judaism. Some weeks ago, I used one of the new Blogspot - polls and asked around in my German blog about how people would like to convert; reform, national religious or haredi. Honestly, I was a little surprised about the answers. Actually many people voted for a haredi conversion. Additionally, I am receiving many e - mails from people who are obviously fascinated by the haredi world and ask me about haredi conversions in Israel.

Well, conversions are not really the subject of my blogs but somehow more and more potential converts are davka interested in this subject, and I was just wondering why. Is it really a kind of fascination about a completely different world ? Is it so fascinating to start a totally new life ? I just wrote an article about this in my German blog and I am curiously awaiting the responses.

However, people converting to Judaism in a haredi way should take a few more things into consideration. It is not only that you have to keep kosher, wear modest clothes, keeping Shabbat and all the other Torah laws. What most people do forget is that especially a haredi conversion means changing your lives in a very drastic way.
Not everybody fits into the haredi society and, as a newcomer, you might hear certain negative remarks people make. It is anything but easy to get accepted by the haredi society. I am not only talking about the Shidduch subject where you probably will not get a marriage offer from someone being born haredi. Usually converts marry converts or divorcees. In most cases but not always.
It says in the Torah and in the Amidah - Prayer that Jews should honour converts. However, reality is often quite different even though people might be religious and know about the Mitzwot. Nevertheless, a convert remains a convert. But don't get too upset because born Jews becoming religious later in their lives are facing the same reality. Sometimes the haredi world can be a very racist world. Everybody is just human and has his faults, one could say. Another point is that especially the haredim should set an example about proper behaviour but, realistically speaking, many times they are not.

Unfortunately today, haredim - it doesn't matter if litvish or chassidic, think that Jews who are not exactly like them are worth less. I wonder what our forefathers (Avot) would say about this. If Avraham was walking through Mea Shearim today and proclaiming that he is a convert, would the inhabitants accept him ? Interesting question. Someone once answered me that they would just look into his soul and know. Interesting answer and maybe the person was right.

Today, Israel is confronted with a huge wave of converts. Thousands of people come here from all over the world and are looking for a conversion course. Rabbis and the ordinary population seem to be fed up, as there is too much misuse of the system. The majority of converts in Israel do not keep the Mitzwot after their conversion. And I am talking here about orthodox conversions.
They finish the Beit Din and, in most cases, this is it. Not that they go back to their former religions but they are simply not interested at all in keeping any Mitzwot. Many of them come from Third World countries and just convert in order to become citizens with Aliyah rights. This is what really upsets born Israelis.
Others come and convert in order to missionize or become Jews for J. Those are the vicious ones and you can usually spot them out right away.
Only a tiny percentage is interested in keeping the Mitzwot after their conversion. However, for the State of Israel it is becoming a serious problem, as those people apply for Aliyah and then get monetary benefits. Rules for conversions therefore do change monthly and it is getting harder and harder to pass the Beit Din.

Whatever you choose, if haredi or national religious, you should always make inquiries or better come to Israel and look around. Speak to people with the same experiences and check out the different societies.