Once Upon a Time a Jew?

Shavuot—beginning tonight—is our annual occasion to revisit the meaning of “Torah” and our relationship to it.

In Ramban‘s teaching, it’s truly the 8th day of Passover when our freedom journey reaches it’s climax.

As Rav Hirsch says throughout his Commentary, moral freedom requires Torah. So when we contemplate and embrace the Torah on Shavuot, we are contemplating and embracing moral freedom.

But what happens if someone has a change of heart?

For instance, what if a Gentile embraces the Torah but then later changes her mind?

Everyone knows that Judaism doesn’t seek converts but welcomes them.

But is that a one-way journey or a revolving door?

This topic was broached this week by an individual who had indeed experienced such a change of heart. In her own words:

A year or so after my conversion and after marrying my now husband, I’ve been so disgustingly disappointed in my community. They started rumors about me not being ‘really Jewish’ or not Jewish enough since I eat kosher at my family’s homes, etc. I’m so hurt by the whole thing I’ve gone totally OTD. I relinquished all association with Judaism, my husband too. I haven’t gone back since hearing this. I write this since it’s a different and rare experience after converting orthodox, since nobody really talks about leaving, ever. I don’t want to bring anyone down, just sharing my experiences.​

She then went on to describe how her ongoing search for meaning has led her to embrace Christianity.

Leading back to our first question—

Is she still Jewish? Was she ever Jewish? What do you think?

Wishing you and yours a Chag Sameach and a Shabbat Shalom.