By Michael Freund
January 6, 2003
Originally published in the Jerusalem Post.
For all those present, it was a sight as remarkable as it was moving.
The young couple, recently arrived from India, sat before the three members of the Rabbinical Conversion Court, answering questions on subjects ranging from Jewish philosophy to ritual observance.
The examination was demanding, probing the extent of their Judaic knowledge and spiritual commitment, challenging them to recall the finer points of the law as well as the prophetic vision of the Final Redemption.
"Israel is the chosen people of G-d," Daniel told the judges in fluent English, "G-d loves us, and that is why we have come here." Suddenly, overcome with emotion, he switched to his native tongue, telling the court through an interpreter about his heartfelt desire to live as a Jew.
Just four months ago, Daniel and his wife arrived in Israel from Manipur, an Indian state on the border with Burma. They are members of the Bnei Menashe, a group claiming descent from a lost tribe of Israel. For over two decades, they have lived a Jewish life, observing the Sabbath, keeping kosher and attending synagogue.
Now, after a period of rigorous study, the young couple stands on the threshold of fulfilling their dream - formally entering into the covenant of Abraham.
"What blessing is recited on cake?" asks one of the rabbis. "And what about an orange?" Daniel and his spouse are unequivocal, and unhesitating, in their replies, answering the queries with a mix of confidence and knowledge that many Israeli Jews would find hard to muster.
"Cake is Borei Minei Mezonot," they respond correctly to the first question. "Oranges are Ha'etz," says Daniel, referring to the blessing for tree-grown fruit. "And bananas?" inquires one of the rabbis. Daniel's wife offers a knowing smile. She realizes it is a trick question, designed to see how deeply she has delved into the laws of blessings. For while bananas may grow on trees, their blessing is nevertheless the same as that of produce which grows directly from the ground. "Ha'adamah," she replies, with a giggle, and a discernible sense of accomplishment, evident in her voice.
It is clear that Daniel and his wife have mastered the material. Not just because they have studied it, but because they have been living it too.
When the questioning is over, the rabbis talk among themselves, reviewing the couple's performance and trading impressions about their level of sincerity and dedication. The consensus among them is unmistakable - Daniel and his wife have passed with flying colors.
Upon hearing the news, the young immigrants were overjoyed. They stood before the court, agreed to accept the yoke of the commandments and recited the Shema, declaring G-d's unity and their undying allegiance to it.
It is a touching scene, and one that is increasingly repeating itself across Israel, as growing numbers of prospective converts seek to join the Jewish people.
Sometimes the language is Russian, or Amharic, or Spanish. But regardless of the dialect involved, the goal is ultimately the same - to cast one's lot with the eternal people of Israel.
This past Sunday, none other than Prime Minister Ariel Sharon addressed the subject, when he told the weekly cabinet meeting that the conversion process has to be accelerated. "It should be made possible for anyone who wants to become a Jew to do so," Sharon is reported to have said.
The Prime Minister, of course, is correct. People who demonstrate a sincere desire to be Jewish, and who are willing to adhere to the procedure laid out in Jewish law, can and should be welcomed with open arms.
And the fact is that in recent years, more and more people are doing so. Until 1990, there were just 250 to 300 conversions performed in Israel annually. In the year that just ended, according to Israel's Chief Rabbinate, the number will have exceeded 3,500, or ten times the rate of just a decade ago.
Obviously, when compared with the untold thousands of non-Jews who have immigrated to Israel in recent years alongside the mass aliyah from the former Soviet Union, this is merely a drop in the bucket. But it is certainly a positive trend that needs to be encouraged further.
If Sharon means what he says, and all those who genuinely wish to convert should be enabled to do so, then there is no reason to limit his vision to within Israel's borders. Instead, the country should also look beyond them, and apply his prescription to the many people around the world who would like to move here and undergo a sincere conversion to Judaism. They range from the 6,000 Bnei Menashe still in India, to other communities practicing Judaism in places such as Peru, Uganda, Mexico and elsewhere.
Obviously, such groups need to be carefully evaluated to determine their level of commitment, and to ensure that their longing for Zion is motivated by a desire for spiritual, rather than just material, gain. But if they too wish to be Jews, and are willing to convert according to Jewish law, then why should they be denied the opportunity to do so?
Toward this end, Israel should consider establishing a Rabbinical Deployment Force (RDF), which would serve as a global traveling Beit Din (religious court). The RDF would consist of three respected scholars who would be dispatched on behalf of the Israeli government to visit communities, meet their leadership and study their lifestyles and practices. They would submit their findings and recommendations, which would enable the State to formulate a comprehensive policy toward groups seeking to adopt Judaism.
At a time when the Jewish people worldwide are struggling with declining birthrates and mounting intermarriage, such groups need to be cultivated and embraced, rather than shunned and ignored.
By reaching out to the groups such as the Bnei Menashe, and enabling them to join the Jewish people, we will strengthen ourselves demographically, reinforcing our shrinking numbers and injecting us with some much needed spiritual adrenaline.
They will also add some refreshing diversity to Jewish life, proving once again that Zionism and Judaism are color-blind, and that we are happy to welcome all who are willing to tie their fate with that of the Jewish people.
It is time for all of us to realize that when Daniel and his wife stood before the rabbinical conversion court earlier this week, they were doing more than just ensuring themselves of a Jewish future. To a certain extent, they were helping to secure ours too.
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