At the upcoming festival of Shavuot, we read the story of Ruth. According to rabbinic tradition, Ruth was a convert to Judaism.<\/p>\n
When her husband died, Ruth told her mother-in-law, Naomi: Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Naomi welcomed her into the Jewish fold and taught her the ways of our people. <\/p>\n
When Ruth turned up asa foreign widow in Boazs fields, Boaz married her. He made a home for her and showed her kindness. Together they raised a family, and the whole community rejoiced.<\/p>\n
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But what if these people hadnt welcomed Ruth? What if Naomi had said: We dont take converts? What if Boaz had said: Youre not a real Jew? What if the community had said: That baby doesnt look Jewish?<\/p>\n
Scripture tells us the answer. Naomi was the great-grandmother of Jesse, the father of David. There would have been no Davidic kingdom; no King Solomon; no Temple.The Jewish people, as we know it, would not exist.<\/p>\n
The last verses of Ruth are a polemic in favour of accepting converts. We owe the existence of our communities to converts and outsiders.<\/p>\n
Yet, too often, we hear people question others Jewish status, try to nullify conversions, or dismiss people for not being Jewish the right way.<\/p>\n
The story of Ruth lets us know that, by excluding people who want to be Jewish, you weaken the whole community. Welcoming converts and baalei teshuvah makes us all stronger.<\/p>\n
Shavuot is a reminder that nobody has pure lineage, even the great King David. Torah teaches that we left Egypt as a mixed multitude and Talmud Kiddushin says that everyone comes from mixed backgrounds.<\/p>\n
Its time to celebrate Jews in allour diversity.<\/p>\n
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The rest is here:<\/p>\n
Progressively Speaking: Shavuot tells us to celebrate Jews in all our diversity - Jewish News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At the upcoming festival of Shavuot, we read the story of Ruth. According to rabbinic tradition, Ruth was a convert to Judaism. When her husband died, Ruth told her mother-in-law, Naomi: Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Continue reading