It’s Time to Turn on the Light

The following essay was submitted to Asknoah.org by a Noahide woman in Florida:

How can we head off one of the problems that is plaguing Judaism: false conversions by non-Orthodox groups?

I was thinking through my own experience, and about how the Orthodox Rabbi I initially spoke with handled my approach to him regarding my request for conversion. When he knew I was married to someone not Jewish, he explained why he could not do that. Though I respected his answer and understood his correct premise, it left me cut off. If I had been a physically destitute, hungry person, I probably would have been referred to an organization to help me. But I had a spiritual hunger that was neither recognized, acknowledged, satiated or informed. This spiritual hunger is being felt by many other Gentiles, and it is only going to grow. In my own case, this is why I (temporarily) tried the alternative of a non-Orthodox conversion.

Had the Orthodox Rabbi been prepared to tell me about the Sheva Mitzvot [the 7 Noahide Commandments], and to inform me and help me to understand that I don’t have to be Jewish to have a right and good relationship with G-d, I, and many others in similar situations, would not have pursued any less-than-traditional, confusing and halachically deficient conversions.

Now I know that some Gentiles, including even a few Noahides, will still desire to seek authentic conversion, even with the knowledge of this vital information.. It is so crucial at this pivotal time to understand what is occurring among the Non-Jews, and prepare for the flood of Truth-seekers, as it says in Zechariah 8:20-23 –

So said the L-rd of Hosts: [There will] yet [be a time] that peoples and the inhabitants of many cities shall come. And the inhabitants of one shall go to another, saying, “Let us go to pray before the L-rd and to entreat the L-rd of Hosts. I, too, will go. And many peoples and powerful nations shall come to entreat the L-rd of Hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the L-rd. So said the L-rd of Hosts: In those days, when ten men of all the languages of the nations shall take hold of the garment of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that G-d is with you.”

That “flood” of Truth-seeking Gentiles is still just ankle deep at this moment, and seemingly of little concern to many Jewish Rabbis and laypersons. It will rise. Not destructively like the flood waters of Noah, G-d forbid, but with righteousness and truth that will increase and cover the earth. We Noahides are also going to assist in bringing Jews back to Torah observance and to their Holy Land of Israel, as the prophets of the Tanach [the Hebrew Bible] spoke.

Just to let you know that of one of the Rabbis in my area is well-informed in this regard.  He actually did a series of classes on the Seven Noahide Commandments, out of the Hebrew volumes entitled Sheva Mitvot HaShem .

Please tell the Orthodox Rabbis that we need them. We need them to share with us our portion in Torah.  To the Jewish people: you are commanded to be the true light to the nations of the world. Let us see your inner light, and we will go in that light, with you leading the way.

To Ask Noah: may G-d prepare the hearts of those that will hear you, to really hear you! May He give wisdom, knowledge and understanding to them as only He can. AND, may He give you the words that will penetrate the isolation and misunderstanding that separates and stifles this next phase in the work of bringing Jews home to Torah and Moshiach to the world. May it be very soon and in our days, even sooner than we think!!! As it says in Isaiah 55:10-12 –

For as the rain or the snow comes down from heaven and does not return there until it waters the earth, making it bring forth and bud, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word that goes forth out of My mouth – it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I desire, and succeed in that for which I sent it. For you will go out with joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst forth into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap hands.