Ever since the time I started this blog I have been contemplating conversion to Judaism, sometimes more serious than other times but in general the thought has remained with me for the last 2 years or more. The main argument against it used to be that I believed Jesus to be the awaited Messiah. So I wouldnt in good conscience be able to take the step that involved public denial of his position. Ever since that belief has been waning however it doesnt pose such an obstacle anymore. Interestingly, while I used to think that there was little else that would be an obstacle I now find other obstacles that before I did not really consider. The major obstacle at the moment is that my family would certainly be deeply hurt if I were to deny Jesus as the Messiah and undertake conversion to Judaism. This obstacle is in itself large enough but besides that there are a few other things that I find difficult:
-Keeping kosher: its not that Im unwilling to commit myself to such a lifestyle (which in some ways I already do) but the fact that it limits having meals with friends at their place or even at restaurants. This is something very basic and something I cherish. Whats more, some of my family members would be deeply offended if I would refuse eating from their plates.
-Career: keeping Shabbat is something that is not taken for granted by many people and I think especially in the beginning of starting a job it might limit your possibilities if you have to leave early on fridays every week and are not able to work in the weekend. It depends of course on the type of job but still it is a limiting factor. In Israel or the US this might be less of a problem but in Europe there is really noone who takes this into account.
Curiously, all of these factors would have to be set aside when it comes to Christianity, Jesus, reportedly said:
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
Strong as these words are they also offer the person comfort in that he knows he is making the right decision. In the case of Islam it is probably the same way, theres no exception, everyone needs to convert to Islam. The case of Judaism however presents the interesting case that non-Jews dont need to become Jews but are acceptable to God in their non-Jewish state (given their observance of the 7 laws of Noah).
So conversion isnt a matter of life or death, its simply a choice to take on the yoke of a people set apart for a particular purpose. Its not like your reward (or punishment) depends on the decision. This then makes these obstacles of a different nature, you can no longer argue that you are forced into this position because of your new beliefs, indeed the only one who is forcing you is yourself…
At the same time it seems these obstacles should be part of the deal, for if it doesnt cost you anything, how valuable can it be?
Ever since the time I started this blog I have been contemplating conversion to Judaism, sometimes more serious than other times but in general the thought has remained with me for the last 2 years or more. The main argument against it used to be that I believed Jesus to be the awaited Messiah. So I wouldnt in good conscience be able to take the step that involved public denial of his position.
The major obstacle at the moment is that my family would certainly be deeply hurt if I were to deny Jesus as the Messiah and undertake conversion to Judaism.
Your thoughts, except for a waning belief in Jesus as the Messiah, all but mirror my own. Is it inevitable for Christians who feel a strong attraction to Judaism to eventually at least consider leaving Jesus and converting, if not actually doing it?
Another person in the blogosphere recently went on record as walking away from Jesus as Messiah and proceeding to conversion to Judaism. I sometimes wonder if I’m going to be the only one who maintains a fascination with Talmud and halakah and yet who remains Christian? On the other hand, could this mean my days as a Christian are also numbered?
Shalom,
So if you were to accept the Jewish life/Judaism you have to deny Yeshua as Moshiach? So that means that you will no longer believe in His Messiahship? Please explain, i want to understand.
Yes thats where I am at the moment. After alot of reading and going back and forth between positions I have come to conclude that I no longer think he lived up to the messianic vision of the prophets.
There was actually only one thing left that made me consider him as the messiah of the non-Jews: the rapid growth of the movement after him and the conversion of the Roman empire. But afer reading about the history between the Church and the Jews I can no longer entertain this thought.
Its been a long process, or so it feels, which is in no sense final but for now I would place him in the category of Judaism’s many failed messiah’s.
As I always like your responses on experiencing life, this one particularly gets my attention. At the end you say one is not forced to become Jewish. This comes to me as the same sound of the Jerusalem counsel. (Acts15) To become Jewish is a free choice and it looks like it has “nothing” to do with faith in Jesus.
But then another question comes in mind: Can you be a believer in Jesus-as-Messiah no matter what you are, an orthodox Christian or Jew? There were orthodox Jews who believe in a false Messiah so what’s the problem to believe in Jesus? You still remain an orthodox Jew.
Shalom, Jos
Hi Jos,
The question you ask has received renewed interest given the belief held by many people from Chabad that their deceased Rebbe is the messiah. I read one halachic response to this by R. Henkin who said it was stupid to believe this but not heretical. As for the idea that the Rebbe was divine however, he wrote that it is heretical and forbidden.
In principle I would expect the same to hold true w.r.t. any other failed messiah, though I suspect given the atrocities committed in the name of Jesus that he may be more stringent. But perhaps someone who has a better grasp on these issues could enlighten us on this matter.
Shalom Daniel,
We all have are own choices to make but i can’t say I’m shocked…I’ve seen this happen before. I pray that HaShem leads you into His truth in your journey.
But I will go out and say this, if Yeshua was not The Moshiach then we can all rap it up…let’s go eat, drink because tomorrow we die. If He is not Moshiach there will be none, this is what I have gotten from diligently studying Torah for years. But once again we all must make a decision. Shalom my friend!
As I mentioned before, I share some measure of your struggles, Daniel. However, none of the other failed Messiahs have drawn millions of people to him (for good and for ill, in some cases) over a span of 2,000 years, and continue to inspire such passionate debates about his nature and character. If this guy were just some itinerant carpenter with a gift for oratory, it would take a miracle for his story to have survived this long.
Gamaliel’s statement in Acts 5:33-39 keeps getting my attention, especially verses 38-39:
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”