Convert to Judaism or be a Noahide?

Interview with the head of Machon Shilo, Rabbi David Bar-Hayim

כדי לצפות בראיון בשפה העברית:

[surylangman]

Today, there are many Jews who don’t know they are Jewish and many Jews who may or may not learn that they are not Jewish. It’s important to note we have people who request to convert who have Jewish DNA and many people, including myself believe these people may be returning souls.

When we read the Book of Ruth, we find s woman who knew absolutely nothing about Jewish laws, but what she did know was her heartfelt feelings and devotion to Naomi. Had we turned Ruth away, we would not have Tehillim, the first book of the Ketuvim, the third section of the Tanakh.

A Gud Gabenched Yur.

[jklmnoqr]

Rabbi Bar-Hayim,
Thank you for your very sensitive and carefully and well-researched explanation about what converts & potential converts face. Converting certainly isn't for the faint of heart! Thank you also for showing us the other alternative -becoming a NOAHIDE. This way, each individual can choose what truly is best for his or for her own life and be fully committed to their decision.May HaShem continue to bless you, your family and your work.🌺

[Peter-the-Egyptian]

This Rabbi is not only honest, but also realistic.
A person can choose to be a Jew ( observing all the commandments), or can choose to be an “associate” of the Jews ( learning and observing) .Very practical and realistic.

[patriciatreslove]

Thank you for this teaching, being a Noahide has been a blessing to me, when I left the church I had no idea what a Noahide was, in fact, I didn't really know of an alternative, apart from Judaism, I was old in age when I left the Church, the reason was replacement theology, if G-d would turn away from the Jews, he could well turn against xtians, for about 2 years I followed the Messianic group, but that also was downgrading the Jews, so when I found Noahides the whole thing made sense, If I were 20 years younger I would have converted, I have found so many teaching, which I can follow, such as Jews for Judaism, Rabbi Singer, Spiritual Babies, the list goes on. Please, there are many people like me senior in age, who are not happy in the church. and need the Noahide movement, because they think they don't have anywhere to go, so they are sticking with idolatry.

[plaistowbill]

Not "fitting in" to your local community should not be a reason for NOT converting. What difference does it make what anyone thinks? It f you are converting to please G_d, everyone else does not matter.

[thebooksofthedead]

Dang, some of these comments are downright evil and HaShem would be horrified. No, Judaism is not a religion of converts, but to spit on them or to say they will never be equal? That is not a mitzvah. I am absolutely horrified.

[MJ-xshk]

Thank you so much for this helpful and encouraging video! I identify with what is said here and long for further teaching and connection. Thank you for sharing.

[sennahoj]

Ahh☺️. This is so enlightening. I'm going to start small, slowly work uppwards and see how jewish of a soul I've got. I have a strong academic interest, and already feel like an outcast in my own pagan culture, ready to adapt to anything I see fitting, because I don't see myself quite fitting into any group I've been in in my country. Not even my family! So we'll see if I end up as a Noahyde or a fullblown Jew🙂😄 This is increddibly exciting!😀✊😀😀😀

[mwatts-riley]

1. I love the beard. FINALLY a mam who knows how to trim and keep a well appearing beard. Perfect.
2. This man is well poised and articulated. I love the softer vioce and
3. Educated and knowledgeable regarding the very real issues of converts
4. I studied the course for conversion over 2 yrs. Attending shul and always Shabott. Tried to be accepted and lived the Jewish life exclusively, two 2 yrs. The freeze out by the congregation was so painfully obvious. They simply do not want non Jews at the table. Period.
5. I still live a jewish life. I observe the shabott, i keep the high holy days but i do it in sloppy way, since i am never with a jew to be taught lessons, for the home law. I keep the schema and love it.
6. Being a Noahide is just as bad as was a chioce for trying to be Jewish, since, in a city of 110, ooo ppl, i know of no other Noahides. None. The isolation and drifting away from, ...
Is a soul killer.
M. IL. 🏠

[JD-dhyn]

I have Jewish ancestry I converted to orthodox to reconnect my soul with the Jewish people and I have many great Jewish friends. The community loves me.

[Bama_Law]

As a convert that did so via askenazi, I didn’t “feel” those min chag, or halachot didn’t fit me for some reason and chose Sephardim. I studied and agreed with Maimonides over European customs. Only a decade and half later did I find out moms maternal lineage was Sephardic. Perhaps HaShem sent my sound back to “fix” something I didn’t do previously and my should was always Sephardi. Who knows. But I get and got allot of flak for using a different siddur and customs.

[artemisfci]

Isaiah 56:4-7 4 For this is what the Lord says:

“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose what pleases me
and hold fast to my covenant—
5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls
a memorial and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that will endure forever.
6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord
to minister to him,
to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain
and give them joy in my house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations.”
8 The Sovereign Lord declares—

[annettelim]

Thank you Rabbi David Bar-Hayim. I was very confused and you have explained so clearly. Toda Raba

[The_obstacle_is_the_way]

Rabbi Bar-Hayim,

I appreciate your guidance and wisdom. I've faced challenges in defining my life's stance, rejecting ideologies that didn't align with my beliefs or lacked consistency. Some seemed motivated more by personal comfort and certain promises. My unwavering commitment stems from the belief in an all-knowing G-d, and this video reassures me that even if I can't fully reach that level, I can still be a good person and engage positively in this community. Thanks once again!

[SHAUL-HAYIM-YIRAH-MAAMIN]

I identify with what is being said. I often feel like a stateless person everywhere I go. It is an even more complicated situation for me in my position. That is all I wish to share at this time however, acquire all the information you can. I understand now, this is a communal lifestyle and to be a lone wolf is not the best choice. Very difficult topic to expound upon. Do your study and study some

[WynandSchoeman-ch]

Thank you, Rabbi for clarifying this. Much appreciated. Baruch Hashem.

[iosanahirt]

Leviticus 24:22 "Ye shall have ONE MANNER OF LAW, AS WELL AS FOR STRANGER, AS FOR ONE OF YOUR OWN COUNTRY: for I am the L-RD your G-d." It seems that G-d has a different opinion!

[sandyrivera]

Rabbi thank you for such a detailed and comprehensible explanation. I have so many questions Hashem has brought me to an awakening in the past year that has led me to truth. #noahide

[gregoryroby]

Isn't being a Noahide like being a little pregnant? It seems to be an acceptable way to catch your breath especially after leaving the circus of Christianity. However, once you've caught your breath, a natural progression would be to convert to Judaism. Unfortunately, too many rabbi's hide behind their prejudice and indifference while giving nice sounding Noahide lectures. It's insulting to the potential convert hearing nonsense like, "You don't have to convert to Judaism to have a share in the world to come" or "who would want to take on the enormous amount of mitzvot? So here's 7 fun commandments to keep and have a nice day." I'm glad Ruth the Moabites, the great grandmother of King David, converted to Judaism. Could you imagine them telling her to remain a Noahide . Noahides are accepted with lip service from the rabbis and its obvious.

[chaimnisan]

I have to respectfully disagree with the rabbi on this issue. In short the rabbi says the following: 'Many non-Jews want to convert but the Jewish community is often too close minded, unlearned and outright hostile to accept converts.' Then the rabbi notes that the 7 Noahide laws are not really a fulfilling alternative to Judaism because of lack of community structure and lack of any proactive way to improve ones conduct, life and the world at large, they are only negatives. To this the rabbi responds by saying: 'Instead of getting our act together as Jews and educating Jews about the importance of loving the convert, equality of the convert etc, let's make up a new alternative religion for them which is not sanctioned by Torah or by the sages.'
The reason that the Rambam z''l says that we do not allow non-Jews to make up their own religion is not to say that Jews are allowed to make up their own religion but it was totally superfluous to say since Torah-obsevant Jews would never do such a thing.