I __,Iwz/rtya‘.(4)u{ .044-te Spirituality TORAH PORTION \ 1 17-)wowzd,:c elz,ceteit;ie./ Listen To Converts Parshat Ekev: Deuteronomy 7:12- 11:25; Isaiah 49:14-51:3. COME IN NOW AND ADD NEW LIFE TO YOUR HARDWOOD FLOORS. T MEN DUSTLESS SAND AND REFINISH OR SCREEN AND COAT. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971 HARDWOOD REFINISHING LAMINATE MARBLEIGRANITE VINYL 3021 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD KEEGO HARBOR, MICHIGAN 48320 248.681.6460 WWW.HARBORFLOORS.COM HOURS: M-F 8 AM - 6 PM, SAT. 9 AM - 5 PM OR CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT CARPET CERAMIC CORK AREA RUGS COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL 1601740 38 July 29 2010 here is a juxtaposition of two Judaism? Also, are there things that we verses in this week's Torah can learn from these converts? portion that relate to a mod- While no formal studies have been ern phenomenon. made, informal writings by converts Moses, just prior to his death, point to an area that needs our atten- exhorts the people of Israel tion. In all of our organiza- to stop blocking themselves tions today, we have many from belief in and loyalty new "Jews by choice" who to God. Three verses later, have freely chosen to be Moses emphasizes that we part of our people like the are to emulate the greatness beautiful biblical example of God through our actions, of Ruth. They have been led specifically (Deuteronomy to believe that the Jewish 10:19): "You, too, must people will embrace them befriend the stranger, for fully once they have con- you were strangers in the verted. Rabbi Dorit land of Egypt." And yet, especially for Ed ut The Hebrew word for those Jews of color, they are Specia I to the "stranger" is ger, which has often treated politely yet Jewish News also been used to mean never accepted socially on "convert." In other words, an equal footing. Some have we are asked to reach out especially to expressed worry about the chances of those we consider "strangers" in our marrying another Jew or having their midst — which could today, of course, children fully accepted in the com- include immigrants, physically and munity. mentally challenged, homosexuals and Some Jews of color have decided to other minority groups. form their own congregations, as in But if we focus on the meaning of Chicago or New York, where they do stranger as convert to Judaism, I think not have to deal with any such preju- we will see an issue that we need to dices. Other converts who become address. active members of our congregations, It is not without intention that often ask where are all the many other Moses, and later the prophet Jeremiah Jews whom they assumed would also (4:1-4), uses the term "circumcise" in be attending services, observing our urging the Jewish people to carefully holidays and contributing to the life of remove that which obstructs their their religious institutions. hearts, minds and souls to doing what Indeed, it is from the enthusiasm, God expects of us. the curiosity and the deep faith of our We know that circumcision, or brit modern gerim that we can all learn milah, is the ritual by which Jewish and be inspired. The blockages around males accept the covenant; every male our own hearts and minds that have convert to Judaism must undergo this led many of us away from an active ritual, too. It certainly demands a high and committed Jewish life can be level of commitment to be willing to opened up when we hear just how and undergo circumcision, especially as an why the newest Jews have joined us. adult. This comes only at the end of We need to hear the story from each the long process of study, introspec- of our gerim — what is it they love tion and practice that any potential about Judaism and being Jewish? convert to Judaism goes through today. If we listen carefully to what our But what is this circumcision of the new Jewish converts are saying, then heart that those born into Judaism are we will see just where we must cir- asked to consider here? In the Talmud cumcise our own hearts — to find (Tractate Sukkah 52a), Rabbi Yehoshua ways to fully embrace these members ben Levi identifies the "thickening of our people and to generate greater around the heart" as the yetzer Ka- enthusiasm, activity and commitment ra, the inclination for wrongdoing to our own Jewish identity. or moral insensitivity. The question then is today, how are we treating Rabbi Dorit Edut is the rabbi of Temple those who have converted willingly to Israel of Bay City.