Conversion to Judaism (Hebrew ????,
giyur, "conversion to Judaism") is the religious conversion of a previously
non-Jewish person to the Jewish religion and to the Jewish people. The procedure for conversion depends on the sponsoring
denomination, and hinges on meeting the ritual and substantive requirements for such conversion. A convert to Judaism is referred to as a
ger tzedek (Hebrew "righteous
proselyte" or "proselyte [of] righteousness") or simply
ger ("stranger" or "proselyte"). In Russian the terms Gery and Gerami are used for
Subbotniks who have adopted all aspects of Judaism.
Rabbi Marc Angel, a modern Orthodox authority on conversion and former president of the RCA, introduces the history of conversion and the term "ger" as follows
Angel's explanation of the literal meaning of "ger" as alien is borne out in biblical verses such as Lev 1934
The Jews were not converts in Egypt, but rather aliens. Clearly, this verse deals with how Israelites should relate to non Israelites (foreigners). There is no place in the Hebrew Bible where the term "ger" is clearly used to refer to a convert to Judaism. The closest thing in the text of the Hebrew Bible to a conversion process is the circumcision undergone by the male foreigner ("ger") before eating the Passover offering (Exodus 1248). Another relevant passage concerns the non-Jewish woman captured in war. (Deut 2110-14) Women captured by the Israelite armies could be adopted forcibly as wives, but first they had to have their heads shaved and undergo a period of mourning.
