Question: Can I convert to Judaism even though I believe in Jesus as the son of God?
Dear Rabbi,
I married a Jewish man, and we have lived a Jewish life (Shabbat every week, Jewish holidays, no Christian holidays (even Valentine's Day), kosher, Hebrew study, liturgy study, B-Mitzvahs for kids, trip to Israel, support for Jewish causes). I even listen to Jewish music from orthodox to reform. Should I convert? The caveat is I am well read and after reading Philo I believe I can accept that Jesus can be God incarnate.
CL
Answer: Dear CL,
Thank you for your question. You say that you are married to a Jewish man and, for many years, have observed Jewish holidays and studied Judaism as you have raised your children as Jews. You would like to know if it is possible for you to convert to Judaism despite the fact that you accept Jesus as God's incarnation in the world.
I'd like to say first that I strongly encourage non-Jewish spouses in Jewish families to pursue the possibility of conversion to Judaism. There is nothing that strengthens the Jewish identity of the children of intermarriage more than having their parent who was born a non-Jew become a Jew by Choice. The process of conversion itself can be one of the most spiritually rewarding experiences a person can have.
However, conversion is a personal transformation that I do not take lightly. In becoming a Jew, a person must make a personal commitment to Jewish behaviors like those you describe -- observing Jewish practices in the home, attending synagogue, being part of the Jewish community, and studying Torah. Becoming a Jew also requires a commitment of the heart. While there is a wide range of beliefs about God that are acceptable in traditional Judaism, there also are beliefs that clearly are not. Belief in Jesus as divine revelation made into flesh is a Christian idea that is not acceptable within Judaism.
You are a Christian. I don't see any reason why you should not derive pride and joy from that identity. You clearly are a person who takes religion and religious ideas seriously, and I applaud that. However, to espouse the beliefs that you have about Jesus and, at the same time to declare yourself a Jew, would be an injustice both to Judaism and to Christianity. It would turn both into a muddle of conflicting beliefs without boundaries.
In your letter you mentioned your study of the writings of Philo of Alexandria, a Jew who lived during the lifetime of the historical Jesus, but before the development of Christianity as a separate religion. Versions of his ideas, rooted in Greek philosophy, were influential on many early Christians. I am glad that you have found in Philo an historical link between your Christian faith and the Judaism of your family. However, it is important to remember that Philo himself was not writing about belief in Jesus as God incarnate because, historically, that specific idea did not exist during his lifetime. Philo's ideas cannot wipe away the real differences that exist between Jewish and Christian thought.
In your case, my answer is that you cannot, and should not, become a Jew if you believe in Jesus as God's revelation made into flesh. That does not mean that you should not continue to build a Jewish home for your Jewish family and continue to study all of the spiritual treasures that Torah has to offer.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser
Thank you for your question. You say that you are married to a Jewish man and, for many years, have observed Jewish holidays and studied Judaism as you have raised your children as Jews. You would like to know if it is possible for you to convert to Judaism despite the fact that you accept Jesus as God's incarnation in the world.
I'd like to say first that I strongly encourage non-Jewish spouses in Jewish families to pursue the possibility of conversion to Judaism. There is nothing that strengthens the Jewish identity of the children of intermarriage more than having their parent who was born a non-Jew become a Jew by Choice. The process of conversion itself can be one of the most spiritually rewarding experiences a person can have.
However, conversion is a personal transformation that I do not take lightly. In becoming a Jew, a person must make a personal commitment to Jewish behaviors like those you describe -- observing Jewish practices in the home, attending synagogue, being part of the Jewish community, and studying Torah. Becoming a Jew also requires a commitment of the heart. While there is a wide range of beliefs about God that are acceptable in traditional Judaism, there also are beliefs that clearly are not. Belief in Jesus as divine revelation made into flesh is a Christian idea that is not acceptable within Judaism.
You are a Christian. I don't see any reason why you should not derive pride and joy from that identity. You clearly are a person who takes religion and religious ideas seriously, and I applaud that. However, to espouse the beliefs that you have about Jesus and, at the same time to declare yourself a Jew, would be an injustice both to Judaism and to Christianity. It would turn both into a muddle of conflicting beliefs without boundaries.
In your letter you mentioned your study of the writings of Philo of Alexandria, a Jew who lived during the lifetime of the historical Jesus, but before the development of Christianity as a separate religion. Versions of his ideas, rooted in Greek philosophy, were influential on many early Christians. I am glad that you have found in Philo an historical link between your Christian faith and the Judaism of your family. However, it is important to remember that Philo himself was not writing about belief in Jesus as God incarnate because, historically, that specific idea did not exist during his lifetime. Philo's ideas cannot wipe away the real differences that exist between Jewish and Christian thought.
In your case, my answer is that you cannot, and should not, become a Jew if you believe in Jesus as God's revelation made into flesh. That does not mean that you should not continue to build a Jewish home for your Jewish family and continue to study all of the spiritual treasures that Torah has to offer.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser
