Convert to Judaism. Conversion seems to have been relatively common in the Second *Temple period and a set procedure was laid down by the *tannaim. The disadvantages of being Jewish were explained to the prospective proselyte and if he or she replied, ‘I know of this and am not worthy’, he or she was to be accepted immediately. *Circumcision and ritual *immersion were required for male converts, ritual immersion alone for female.
Once converted, the proselyte was given a new name as ‘son’ or ‘daughter of *Abraham’ (the first proselyte). He or she must be regarded as a *Jew in every respect except that a female proselyte may not marry a *Kohen and, unlike a born-Jew, may marry a *mamzer. After the Christian Church had forbidden ‘judaizing’ on pain of death, attitudes towards proselytes became increasingly negative. In addition, it was felt that there was no need to try to convert Christians and Muslims because both groups kept the *Noachide laws and therefore had a place in the *World to Come. In modern times however, with the increase of *intermarriage, conversion to Judaism has again become common, particularly in the *Progressive movements. However Progressive conversions are not regarded as valid by the *Orthodox.
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