Re: Peter Himmelman

[hebass <hebass...>]

On Thu, 22 Jun 1995, P. Kirman wrote:

> >What if the kids had had an orthodox conversion.
> 
> 
> I am not sure if children can get an orthodox conversion at
> such young ages.  You would have to ask an Orthodox rabbi.
> The thing is, Orthodox conversions are really difficult to get.  You just
> can't go to a rabbi and ask for one and get it.  It takes a lot of
> time and study and exams and questioning, so I am not sure if a child
> would be able to get one.
> 
I am sorry to insist in this point.  Any one can get a conversion and it 
does not need to be an orthodox one, just a conversion to Judaism.  It is 
difficult in most cases because the person interested in the conversion 
will be rejected at least twice before being accepted to the study part 
of the conversion.  The convertee has to acquire a whole lot of Jewish 
knowledge that apparently some Jewish people do not have.
        Children, however, are the easiest people to convert.  If they 
are newborns and the parents are going to educate them in a Jewish 
environment, the only other requirement is a circuncision and a mikvah.  
        We must stop thinking and assuming that orthodox is the only 
authentic way of neing Jewish, and if you are not Orthodox you might as 
well not be religious.  This is wrong!  First of all, which orthodoxy are 
you reffering to?  Second, some orthodox sects practice something realy 
close to idolatry.
        You do not need to add the word orthodox in front of Jewish.  If 
it is Jewish it is enough.


Hazzan Henrique Ozur Bass
"I'd give a cow not to get into an argument, but I'd give all my
cattle not to leave it."  (Old Brazilian saying)