Believe it or not, for those seeking spirituality within Judaism, it is not necessary to convert. In fact, many of the most Orthodox rabbis do not encourage conversion.
For those who don't want to convert, but study Judiasm there are other spiritual paths to explore and it is called B'nai Noach, or Children of Noah. This growing group believes that "G-d is near to all who call Him, to all who call Him with sincerity" in accordance with Psalms145:18. Although B'nai Noach are non-Jews, they wholeheartedly believe in the G-d of the Jewish nation. B'nai Noach follow the Seven (7) Laws of Noah and strive to maintain a just society in an unjust world.
Many have doubts about the B'nai Noach faith. "Why don't you convert," is a popular question among many towards B'nai Noach. The answers are very personal for each Noachide, or adherent to the Seven Laws of Noah. Many questioners feel the reward for B'nai Noach will not be as good as the reward for a Jew because B'nai Noach only are held to fulfill seven laws, while Jews are held to fulfill 613 laws. This is not true. In fact, the Noachide reward is just as good as the Jewish reward in the order of heaven.But, the question still remains: should you convert to study Judaism? Depending on who you are talking to, the Noahide may bring up the following ten reasons why a non-Jew (Gentile) who follows the Noahidic faith would not convert:
(1) Many Noahides are happy with their faith - In fact, many Noahides are proud that they were born non-Jews, and want everyone to know about their heritage.
(2) Many Noahides are studying to convert to Judaism, but will not do so until their heart tells them to.
(3) Many Noahides feel a deep connection, a source of reality, within the B'nai Noach community.
(4) Many Noahides do not have Jews where they reside. How can one be Jewish with a lack of Jewish community?
(5) Many Noahides have spiritual issues with their family members. For instance, what if the Noahide parent did not want their Noahide son/daughter to convert? Most Noahides would obey their parents, as it important to respect thy mother and thy father.
(6) Many Noahides are in the process of learning, and do not want to be pressured into taking a leap of faith without fully learning about the leap before taking that leap.
(7) Many Noahides are happy with their current state. And, not to suggest they would not be happy with Judaism. But, once you convert, there is no turning back from Judaism!
(8) Many Noahides do not convert in order to help fulfill some of the prerequisites of the coming messiah. For instance, Isaiah 11:9 states: "For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." How can this verse in Isaiah be fulfilled if Gentiles are worshipping foreign idols? Many Noahides hope to help the Jews materially in accordance with Isaiah 60: "Foreigners shall build up the walls [of the Jewish nation], and their kings shall minister to you. Men shall bring you the wealth of the nations with their kings led in procession. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste" (Isaiah 60:10-12).
(9) Finally, Noahides seek to help Jews bring fulfillment to Zechariah, chapter 8, verse 23: "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'In those days ten men out of all the languages of the nations shall take hold and seize the robe of a Jew, saying: 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that G-d is with you'."
Therefore, the answer to the question is "no," conversion is not necessary, and often discouraged among Orthodox Jews. It is only if the individual is certain that they want to live the rest of their life as an observant Jew is conversion the right choice. In other instances, perhaps Noahism is the key. Then again, it is hard to determine without observing each and every case.
More Jews have converted to Christianity in the past 20 years than in the past 2,000 years combined. Over 500 Christian missionaries are spending over 100 million dollars each year to convert the Jewish people at a rapid and frantic pace.
The Jewish people have been persecuted since the beginning of time, yet, through these persecutions, the Jews have emerged as overwhelming contributors in religion, art, finance, philosophy, history, music, literature, and science. The Jews have overcome every threat that has been forced unto them.
So, please, weigh in the above factors before considering conversion. There are alternatives to conversion. And, if you decide conversion is the right choice for you, make a logical decision concerning the branch of Judaism you will adapt to.
