Converting to Judaism for All the Wrong Reasons

Conservative cantor, Avital Gerstetter (JTA)

A little known view of R’ Shamshon Raphael Hirsch is his explanation of our purpose in Galus – the Diaspora.. Which is to increase conversions of non Jews to Judaism. The idea being that the best way to serve God is  to be one of His people. We are supposed to spread the word of God to all the nations and to ultimately encourage non Jews to convert. 

This goes against the conventional wisdom of Orthodox Jewry. Our custom is to try and dissuade people who wish to convert. I have been told that the primary reason for this is NOT because we don’t want people to become Jewish. But because we had been persecuted by the Church for attempting to do so in the past. The Church of course believed we should be the ones that convert to Christianity and over the centuries have tried mightily to do so. Most notably during the Spanish Inquisition.

Today there are other reasons we try to discourage potential converts. We want to make sure that they are made aware of just what conversion entails. It isn’t only about changing their belief - although it is certainly that. It is about the requirement to be fully observant. 

To a non Jew who has few religious restrictions in life and practically no religious obligations, the idea of keeping Shabbos and Kashrus is tremendous new undertaking that is far more difficult than they probably ever imagined. One that they need not do if they don’t convert. They can serve God as non Jews too.  When a potential convert becomes fully informed of what Judaism entails and still wants to convert, we accept them and begin the lengthy and difficult process of educating them how to do it. 

Once they do, we are to treat them as fully equal to all Jews in every sense. We are even forbidden to remind them of their past lest it will cause them mental anguish.  The term coined for a legitimate convert is Ger Tzedek  - righteous convert. Converts like this are often more sincere and diligent in observance of Halacha than those of us that were born into it. Putting those of us who do much of it by rote - to shame.

Which brings me to a story about conversions in Germany. I am not in the habit of agreeing with Conservative Jewish cantors when dealing with a sensitive topic like conversions. But I agree in this case. From JTA:

In the column, titled “Why the increasing number of converts is a problem for Judaism,” (Cantor Avital) Gerstetter charged that too many people in Germany convert for the wrong reasons — such as to atone for their family’s Nazi past or to identify with the victims rather than perpetrators. 

 “The very large number of new Jews has led to a considerable change in Jewish life in Germany. In some services and during some speeches I feel more reminded of an interreligious event than of the visit to the synagogue I have been familiar with since childhood.” 

I agree with Gerstetter’s perspective. People that convert to Judaism for less than appropriate reasons  – such as those she suggested is the case in Germany - are not really converts at all.

On the one hand I am gratified to see that the younger generation of Germans have been so traumatized by their nation’s genocide of the Jewish people while their grandparents looked the other way and let it happen. They are saying that their own grandparents showed their true antisemitic colors by their indifference. They may not have known the full extent of that horror, But surely they knew some of it. It is as if the Germans ‘converting’ now are saying, ‘You don’t like Jews?!’ ‘Well, guess what?’  ‘We are becoming Jews.’ Deal with that!’

I am grateful for the sentiment. But converting to Judaism for that reason is not the way to show it. It is quite likely that these so called conversions were not done according to Halacha. Which makes it quite likely that the majority of them are not Jewish at all.  Even if – like Cantor Gerstetter - they think they are. 

The more this kind of thing happens, the more difficult it will be to know who really is and isn’t a Jew. Making marriage a nightmare. It will become nigh impossible to know for sure if the person you are dating is Jewish or not. If it isn’t already. 

What this also does is strengthen Israel’s Chief Rabbinate’s control over Jewish marriage in Israel. It will surely be more difficult than ever to prove one’s Jewish lineage. 

Cantor Gerstetter was fired from her position. Quite likely because of the controversial views she expressed in her column. She is planning legal action against the Jewish community of Berlin. Rightfully so, in my view. But I can’t say I support her being returned to a Shul that I do not believe is legitimate in the first place. Nor to her job as a Cantor. Which isn’t Halchicly legitimate either.  But, I suppose this is a conundrum I will have to live with.