Gerim
Gerim (Hebrew: גרים), also known as gerey tzedek (righteous proselytes),[1] are converts to Judaism and naturalized members of the Jewish nation.
[10][11][12][13] Even once the conversion process has begun, an individual is not guaranteed to be converted if they do not meet the expectations and requirements of their sponsoring rabbi and Jewish court.
[14][15] Other reasons for denial include a lack of sincerity, mental or physical illness, or living in a place where adhering to Jewish law is impossible.
[16] Once a halakhically valid conversion is completed, it can never be undone and the ger is forever considered to be Jewish, even if their observance waivers or they attempt to convert to another religion.
However, some rabbis have ruled that revocation of a conversion is permissible if it is proven the process was not done in accordance with Jewish law or that the convert was insincere in their intentions and beliefs.
[28][29][30][31][32] Non-Jews have been joining the Jewish people for thousands of years, with one of the earliest instances being Ruth, a Moabite ancestor of King David.
[36] Several gerim and descendants of gerim, such as Simon bar Giora, Avtalyon, Shmaya, Onkelos, Queen Helena of Adiabene, Ben Bag Bag, and Rabbi Yochanan ben Torta were prominent in the ancient Jewish community.
[37] It is estimated that a significant portion of the genome of diaspora Jewish groups is of non-Israelite genetic descent, indicating that these communities accepted in many converts following the expulsion of Jews from Israel by the Romans.
[45] Prospective Jewish converts must undergo a rigorous process which bears similarity to both naturalization and a religious conversion.
[46][47] Converts generally are advised to adopt the minhagim (such as Ashkenazi or Sephardi) of their sponsoring rabbi or community, however many also choose their own minhag independently.
[51] Other arguments cite convert's potential zealotry when observing mitzvot (commandments), thus creating an atmosphere of denigration towards born-Jews who aren't as stringent.
[63][64] Per Jewish law, a convert is like a newborn child, and thus biological parental ties are severed upon their conversion.
[73] Groups of Slavic Christian peasants began to appropriate certain elements of Jewish culture and religion beginning in the 19th century, resulting in persecution and deportation under Tsar Alexander I.
[76] Many researchers believe the Beta Israel, much like the Subbotniks, adopted a Jewish identity without formal conversion or were converted by Jews from Yemen who settled in the region during the Middle Ages.
[85] Some prominent American gerim include: Since 2016, about 3,000 people convert to Judaism every year in Israel through programs approved by the Chief Rabbinate.
