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Proselytes

The Encyclopaedia Judaica 13:1182 contains a fascinating analysis that provides extensive evidence of an increasingly common trend towards the conversion to Judaism during the Second Temple period. This period, especially in its later stages, witnessed a marked rise in the use of the term “ger”, previously reserved for referring to strangers or aliens, to denote proselytes. Further evidence of proselytization activity is documented in “Strangers and Gentiles”, contradicting claims that this practice was limited. Although Matthew 23:15’s claim that the Pharisees “compass sea and land to make one proselyte” may appear exaggerated, a significant spike in conversion cannot be denied. Fascinatingly, some of the most esteemed Jewish leaders were descendants of proselytes, exposing a welcoming attitude. The enthusiastic approaches of Shammai and Hillel in teaching prospective proselytes about Judaism, as recorded in Shabbat 31a, offer an example of differing acceptance methods. This intricate dynamic presents both welcoming and dissemination of Jewish beliefs.

RSS More On Converts
  • Abodah Zarah
    Page 313 Tal. 64b …’Who is ger toshavגר תושבger: “foreigner” or “alien” + toshav: “resident”,”resident alien”is a halakhic term used in Judaism to designate the legal status of a Gentile (non-Jew) living in the Land of Israel who does not want to convert to Judaism but agrees to observe the Seven Laws of Noah? Any […]
  • 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 […]
  • Yebamoth
    Talmud 47b The Master said, “If a man desires to become a proselyte… he is to be addressed as follows: ‘What reason have you for desiring to become a proselyte..’ and he is made aquainted with some of the major commandments.” What is the reason? — In order that if he desires to withdraw let […]
  • Proselytes (law of conversion)
    From The Encylopaedia Judacia 13:1183-1184 The procedure, established by the tannaim, according to which a non-Jew may be into the Jewish faith, was elucided as follows: “in our days, when a proselyte came to be converted we say to him: ‘What is your objective? Is it not known to you that the people of Israel […]
  • Proselytes
    The Encyclopaedia Judaica 13:1182 contains a fascinating analysis that provides extensive evidence of an increasingly common trend towards the conversion to Judaism during the Second Temple period. This period, especially in its later stages, witnessed a marked rise in the use of the term “ger”, previously reserved for referring to strangers or aliens, to denote […]

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    • God's glory in the temple The people worship Solomon's sacrifice God appears to Solomon
    • Solomon blesses God Solomon's dedicatory prayer
    • Dedicated treasures Induction of the ark into the oracle A sign of favor
    • The brazen altar Molten sea Courts
    • Solomon begins temple The Temple's dimensions, architecture, and ornaments
    • The temple Workmen Solomon contracts with Huram
    • The offering of Solomon Solomon's choice of wisdom Solomon's wealth
    • Page 313 Tal. 64b …’Who is ger toshavגר תושבger: “foreigner” or “alien” + toshav: “resident”,”resident alien”is a halakhic term used in Judaism to designate the legal status of a Gentile (non-Jew) living in the Land of Israel who does not want to convert to Judaism but agrees to observe the Seven Laws of Noah? Any […]
    • 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 […]
    • The peoples offering Solomon made king David's Reign and death
    • David's exhortation David gives Solomon the temple patterns and materials
    • Twelve monthly captains Princes of the tribes The numbering stopped
    • Divisions of the porters Assignment of the gates Keepers of the treasures
    • Number and offices of the singers Their division into orders
    • Division of Aaron's sons into orders Division of Kohathites and Merarites
    • David makes Solomon king Levitical offices
    • David's preparations for building the temple David's instructions to Solomon Princes to assist Solomon
    • The numbering David's choice of plagues Jerusalem spared Staying of the pestilence
    • Destruction of Rabbah Philistine giants killed
    • David's messengers insulted Defeat of Ammon Shophach is killed