Conflicting Attitudes to Conversion in Judaism, Past and Present

This book explores the history and halakhah of conversion in context of the visions, beliefs and prejudices that may have shaped them.

Isaac Sassoon (Author)

9781108416306, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 30 November 2017

288 pages
22.3 x 14.6 x 2 cm, 0.47 kg

Evidence suggests that conversion originated during the Babylonian Exile. Around the same time, biological genealogy was gaining popularity, especially among priests whose legitimacy was becoming increasingly defined by 'pure' pedigree. When the biological, or ethnic, criterion is extended to the definition of Jewishness, as it seems to have been by Ezra, the possibility of conversion is all but precluded. The Rabbis did not reject the primacy of genealogy, yet were also heirs to a strong pro-conversion tradition. In this book, Isaac Sassoon confronts the tensions and paradoxes apparent in rabbinic discussions of conversion, and argues that they resulted from irresolution between the two conflicting traditions. He also contends that attitudes to conversion can impact not only one's conception of Judaism but also on one's faith, as seems to be demonstrated by authors cited in the book whose espousal of a narrowly ethnic view of Judaism allows for a nepotistic theology.

Introduction
1. Hillel and Shammai
2. Philologizing 'ger'
3. Metaphoric blood
4. Ethnicity's apotheosis
5. A hackneyed myth
6. David's sons
7. Priesthood
8. A post-exilic passover
9. Priesthoods under the microscope
10. Moses the first-born
11. Were converts a caste apart?
12. Holiness and haughtiness
13. Seed of doubt
14. Rites of passage
15. A quirky blockbuster
16. Maimonides
17. Warder Cresson
18. Canaanites redux
19. Epilogue.

Subject Areas: Judaism: theology [HRJT], Judaism: life & practice [HRJP], Judaism: worship, rites & ceremonies [HRJC], Judaism [HRJ], Religion & beliefs [HR], Humanities [H]