To those who did make the decision, was it an intellectual discovery, or an inner feeling, or a deeper pull based on both or more?
All of the above. While xtianity isn’t based on (any) logic, logic was something that drew me to Judaism. But it was also an inner feeling/connectedness that I had when I was around the Jewish people. And it was also a “vow” that I made to G-d to follow the path of truth, wherever that path may lead.
I am always awed at Baalei Teshuva and their stories, I can only hope to reach their level
I always hear frum people say something like that. But I always hear BT/Gers say the same thing about FFBs. There are benefits that FFBs have that others don’t. Some things are big, but there are many small things that you would never have thought of that benefit FFBs.
After I wrote what I wrote, I watched a very secular Israeli making sure that he remembered to kiss a mezuza as he walked through a doorway…and Bernie Madoff may have done 1 severe thing wrong, but I am sure that if someone knew him as a neighbor, friend or aquintance that they would have good things to say about him.
You should write books. Can you tell us more? How did your families react? Are you well accepted?
Yes, I keep notes so that, G-d willing I can write a book, since so many people find it fascinating.
My parents don’t mind, since I am improving my middos. However, the xtians that are elsewhere in my family are soooo opposed to it that I had to cut off contact from most of them years ago.
Being accepted hasn’t been an issue (but it doesn’t mean that I don’t have to work hard at it or haven’t had to put up with uncomfortable situations, though). While I am not finished with my conversion, it doesn’t seem to bother even the ultra-orthodox from treating me with much respect. In fact, a few years ago I ate a Purim meal at my friends house in Mea Shearim & the family made me feel like I was a long-lost family member.
I hate to say this, but if my introduction to torah jewery was the yeshiva world coffee room, I would run the opposite way. The invective routinely directed towards others is horrible.
I think I’ve seen much worse in my introduction & it didn’t really stop me & the truth is that it only stops people looking for an excuse to turn away. What I mean is that if a person is focused on getting closer to G-d, then they aren’t going to let people stand in their way.
I believe that he who forgets that he was megayer and not a BT, is the one who succeeded….Besides, we’re all BTs in a way
Can you clarify this? I have been told that a ger is a BT…or maybe they are “like” a BT…but I’m confused as to how this is so. But maybe I am confused.
I don’t see myself as having done anything special, I just corrected something that went wrong at some point in history. It’s no big deal for me and personally
I really don’t see anything special about my story either. However, I came to the conclusion that at certain times, it’s good to tell, since many Jews have told me that they have gained much inspiration from my story. How? I don’t know.
I’ve also always wondered if the coincidence of me finding & appreciating Judaism may have been a tikkun of sorts for my ancestors that didn’t appreciate it & decide to walk away from it.