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Gerim

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gerim
גרים
Total population
Unknown
Regions with significant populations
Worldwide
Languages
Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, other Jewish languages, and various other native languages.
Religion
Judaism
Related ethnic groups
Other Jews

Gerim (Hebrew: גרים) are converts to Judaism whom are considered full members of the Jewish nation.[1][2]

History

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Non-Jews have been joining the Jewish people for thousands of years, with one of the earliest instances being Ruth, an ancestor of King David.[3]

It is estimated that a significant portion of the genome of diaspora Jewish groups is of non-Israelite genetic descent, indicating that these communities accepted in many converts following the expulsion of Jews from Israel by the Romans.[4][5]

Process

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Prospective Jewish converts must undergo a rigorous process which bears similarity to both naturalization and a religious conversion. Traditionally, this involves moving into a Jewish community, a year or more of Jewish education under a rabbi, meeting with a beit din (Jewish court), and going through with the final rites (which differ between males and females slightly).[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Broyde, Michael (2012-11-18). "Who Is A Ger?". Torah Musings. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  2. ^ "You Don't Have to Be Jewish to Be Jewish: On Conversion to Judaism | Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel". www.beki.org. 2014-07-09. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  3. ^ "Ruth, The First Convert: A Model of Welcome - Reconstructing Judaism". 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  4. ^ "Ancient DNA Provides New Insights into Ashkenazi Jewish History". hms.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  5. ^ Stephanie Pappas (2012-08-06). "Genes Tell Intricate Tale of Jewish Diaspora". livescience.com. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  6. ^ "How to Convert to Judaism". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved 2024-11-10.