Evergreen
Conversion History: Talmudic Period
Conversion waxes and wanes, based on the historical and national circumstances of the Jews.
Conversion History: Ancient Period
The evolution of Israel as a nation into Judaism as a religion was paralleled by a move from assimilation of strangers to a more formal idea of conversion.
Conversion History: Late 20th Century
Jewish attitudes toward conversion began to change as spouses of non-Jews remained loyal to Judaism and more converts chose Judaism.
Conversion History: Middle Ages
In the face of persecution and legal restriction, codifiers of Jewish law chose survival over proselytization.
Going to the Mikveh: The Day After
As both symbol and expression of the profound change required of a convert to Judaism, the mikveh (mikvah) is often a deeply emotional experience.
Going to the Mikveh: The Day Before
With the ritual bath's echoes of sexuality and its demand for self-abnegation, the prospect of immersion can create some trepidation for the prospective convert.
Why Some Holidays Last Longer Outside Israel
Israelis and liberal Jews observe fewer days for some holidays than traditional Diaspora Jews.
The Denial of Free Will in Hasidic Thought
According to some Hasidic thinkers, human free will is an illusion; God causes all human actions.
The Influence of Non-Jewish Thinking on Jewish Thought
Jewish thinkers have both embraced and directly reacted to foreign ideas and philosophies.