Curiously you will not find Rabbis trying to convince people to convert to Judaism. In fact, even if someone approaches the Rabbi asking about conversion, Jewish law demands that he tries to dissuade the person from becoming a Jew.
Of course Judaism is not an exclusive “club” and it is possible for one who is not born Jewish to become Jewish. However, Judaism teaches that there are different paths to G-d therefore a Gentile can have a full and meaningful relationship with G-d, without becoming Jewish. To quote the Talmud, “The righteous amongst the Gentiles have a place in the world to come”.
So what are these “paths to G-d”? For a Jew this involves the fulfilment of all the precepts (Mitzvot) as detailed in the Torah, the Five Books of Moses together with the details as set out in the Talmud and Code of Jewish Law. For one not born to the Jewish faith, this means the fulfilment of a universal code, referred to as the Seven Noahide Laws. These laws were given to Noah and his children when they emerged from the Ark following the Great Flood. Below is a list of the Noahide Laws:
- Do not profane G d’s Oneness in any way.
- Do not curse your Creator.
- Do not murder.
- Do not eat a limb of a living animal.
- Do not steal.
- Not to commit sexual immorality.
- Establish courts of law and ensure justice in our world.
These are seven laws that contain within them an all-encompassing moral code that underpins a moral society.
Each individual, Jew or Gentile, is able play their part in this world, by fulfilling their own G-d given task, thereby strengthening the society in which we live and helping to create a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Fishel Cohen – Jewish Chaplain