Proselytes

The Second Temple era was a time when many people converted to Judaism as noted in the Encyclopaedia Judacia 13:1182. It is interesting to know that during this period, the term “ger,” which means stranger or alien, became associated with proselyte. The book of Matthew in the New Testament mentions Pharisees who “compassed sea and land to make one proselyte” in Matthew 23:15. However, it is possible this might have been an exaggeration by the rabbis. They took this claim as an opportunity to assert that their most prominent figures were descended from proselytes. What is particularly fascinating is the differing approaches of Hillel and Shammai to teaching potential proselytes the principles of Judaism. We can see this in various incidents such as in Shabb.31a. These incidents highlight the fact that religious conversion was a crucial and prevalent topic during the era of the Second Temple, making it a fascinating time to study.

RSS More On Converts

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories
    • Destruction of a potter's vessel the type of Judah's destruction
    • God's power typed by the potter Judgements on Judah A prayer
    • Sin and the captivity of Judah Trust in God is blessed God's salvation Renewal of the covenant
    • Ruin of the Jews foreshadowed by types Their return Double payment for idolatry
    • Complete rejection of Judah and resulting judgements Jeremiah receives a promise and a threat A complaint and a prayer
    • Jeremiah's prayer during famine Complaint against lying prophets
    • The Ruined Waistband Figure of the bottles of wine Exhortation to repentance
    • Jeremiah complaint of the prosperity of the wicked God lament the desolation of his inheritance Promises to the repentant
    • The prophet proclaims God's covenant Disobedient Jews reprimanded A prophecy of evil
    • Unequal comparison of God and idols Jeremiah warns the people Lament for the tabernacle Jeremiah's prayer
    • Jeremiah laments the sins of the people Disobedience brings calamities A Warning The Jews and the nations threatened
    • Calamities of Judah Judgements on impenitence A desperate state
    • Jeremiah calls Judah to repentance God's judgements threatened Sacrifices are rejected Exhortation to mourn
    • Judah's enemies encourage themselves The prophet's lament The people are called to mourn
    • Judgement of God on the Jews for their sins Contempt of God Wickedness of the people and their leaders
    • God's call to Israel Judah exhorted to repentance Lamentation for Judah
    • Rebellious Judah and Israel Promises to the repentant Israel's Confession
    • Complaint with Israel Israel causes its own calamities Judah's sins
    • The Time and calling of Jeremiah Jeremiah's vision signifying speedy judgments God's promise of assistance
    • From the book Celebration The Book Of Jewish Festivals Buy the book here Purim’s festivity connects intimately with the month of Adarאֲדָר Ădār; from Akkadian adaru is the sixth month of the civil year and the twelfth month of the religious year on the Hebrew calendar, roughly corresponding to the month of March in the […]
  • Discover more from

    Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

    Continue reading