Conversion,+apostasy

Conversion, apostasy (including forced)

In biblical times, the conversion of non-Jews was not uncommon and many biblical figures are converts, most notably, Abraham, the matriarchs of Judaism and Ruth of Davidic lineage. Today converts take a Hebrew name as well as ben (son of) or bat (daughter of) Avraham and Sarah. Circumcision (or Dam Brit – a drop of blood) is required of males, mikvah immersion and facing three rabbis on a beit din (Jewish Court) is required of both men and women. The process on conversion varies between denominations and not all conversions are recognized across streams. Today there is much controversy surrounding conversions and the question of “Who is a Jew?” when it comes to the Law of Return in Israel.

After the Roman Empire adopted Christianity, it became punishable by death to convert to Judaism. Conversion is typically discouraged through a ceremonial rejection three times by a rabbi to a potential convert. It is rooted in the potential harm a convert would risk as well as discouraging those who were not serious or sincere in their reason to convert. Today this practice of refusal is not widespread. Halakhically, converts are regarded as full fledged members of the Jewish community. According to Halakha, Jewish converts are held in high esteem and it is forbidden discriminate or shame them because of their background. One of the reasons Judaism does not actively set out to convert (or proselytize) is that unlike Islam and Christianity, Judaism teaches that there is a place for everyone in the afterlife.

Additional halakhic categories for Jews:

“Min” (in Hebrew) or **apostate** of Judaism is a Jew who rejects Judaism and possibly defects to another religion. Use of term in readings from class:
 * apostatize, apostatise** [əˈpɒstəˌtaɪz] - to forsake or abandon one's belief, faith, or allegiance
 * apostate ** [əˈpɒsteɪt -tɪt] //-// a person who abandons his religion, party, cause, etc.

“Meshumad” (in Hebrew) or **heretic** in Judaism is Jew who actively rebels against Jewish Law and the observance of it.

“Anusim” (plural in Hebrew) or **coerced**, is a legal category for Jews who were forced to convert to another religion but secretly or, to the best of their ability, maintained their Judaism. These Jews are considered halakhically full-fledged Jews.

Two notable mass coerced conversions to Christianity in history include the Ashkenazi Jews at the end of the 11th century in Germany and the Jews of Spain and Portugal in the 14th and 15th centuries. Sephardic “anusim” are sometimes also referred to “conversos,” New Christians, Crypto-Jews and Marranos. The Allahdad incident of 1839 involved the mass coerced conversion of the Mashadi Jews of Persia who, as a result, practiced Islam in public but Judaism in their homes.

Time line of expulsions and forced conversions of the Jews:

http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/HistoryJewishPersecution/

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http://www.convertingtojudaism.com/Historical-Background.htm