Converts

The sources of this period span the range of attitudes toward converts to Judaism. The Hellenistic Jewish authors Philo and Josephus employ positive and welcoming language when speaking of non-Jews who choose to enter the covenant to become members of the Jewish people. A similar perspective is found in the ancient Jewish romance Joseph and Aseneth (see “Aseneth Succumbs to Joseph’s Charm”).

Both Talmuds contain extreme pronouncements against gentiles who study Torah or keep the Sabbath, and R. Ḥelbo states that “converts are as difficult for Israel as a sore” (b. Yevamot 47b). Nevertheless, most sources maintain a more positive stance toward gentiles who take on Jewish identity. In m. Yadayim 4:4, R. Joshua finds a creative way to accept a convert from a group with whom scripture prohibits marriage, normally a barrier to conversion. While the description of the rabbinically constructed conversion process in b. Yevamot 47a–b reveals the rabbis’ cautious approach toward converts, the Mekhilta de-Rabbi Ishmael takes a warm view of the convert, who must be brought near with one hand even while being pushed away with the other.