Tuesday, February 06, 2018


Why Push Away Potential Converts?

   by Reb Gutman Locks    

Why Push Away Potential Converts?


       When we came out of Egyptian slavery a large number of insincere converts came with us. They are called the Erev Rav, the mixed multitude. The reason they were insincere is because they converted not for love and fear of Hashem, but merely to join the best trip going. The Ari says that the mixed multitude goes back way before these insincere converts. According to the Ari, the Erev Rav are unfinished Jews in need of at least one more reincarnation to complete their journey into the Jewish people.

      It might seem that the rule to push away potential converts three times comes from our terrible experience with these insincere, troublemaking converts, but it doesn't. The gemora tells us that the rule to push away non-Jews who wish to convert actually comes from the story of Ruth. Ruth's mother-in-law tried to dissuade her from converting three times, but she insisted and went on to become the prime example of a sincere convert. A sign of her greatness is that King David, the beloved of Hashem, is a descendant of Ruth.

     Today no one knows who among us is of the mixed multitude, not even they themselves know that they are of these troublesome people. But there is a way we can tell with almost certainty, or at least strongly suspect, who among us are continuing descendants of this contentious people.

     Look and see which Jews are causing us troubles from within. Who among us is causing strife between Jews? Who is known for spreading evil gossip, or even worse, evil lies against other Jews? We can assume that they, or their ancestors were from that original Erev Rav, the troublesome mixed multitude.


  1. There's even more to it. The magicians in Egypt(i.e., the court magicians, Jason & Janus - sons of Bilam harasha) came along thinking they will undo the Jews and Torah. Egypt was a land steeped in black magic. It is also told by the Sages that you can tell (most of the time) who the Erev Rav are; they usually have positions of power and wealth in leadership and government, thus being able to cause the tzoros the Jews have gone through for over 3,000 years!

  2. Like this comment, Anonymous!



    Reform Jews ally themselves with the anti-Israel
    Far-Left and the anti-Israel Intersectionality
    Movement, so it is correct to publicize these
    short blog articles that expose Reform Judaism:
    Rambam vs. Reform Judaism:

    Why Barak Hullman left Reform Judaism and became Orthodox:


    How a Reform Rabbi Became Orthodox (true story):


    Reform Judaism vs. Real Judaism:


    Sephardic Jews REJECT Reform Judaism:


    How Reform Jews CHEATED on the Pew survey:



    Those rescue efforts were led by Orthodox Jews, who the Reform Jews considered to be behind-the-times and obsolete and an embarrassment.

    The Reform Jews got what they wanted:
    the rescue efforts failed.

  4. @Mr Cohen

    We must be careful not to besmirch all "Reform Jews."
    There is a difference between the ideology of the movement, and some of the people who are brought up into the movement from childhood.
    These people know no better, and fall in the category of "Tinok Shenishbah", halachic Jews ignorant of the Mitzvot who are like babies/children.
    They can be passionate about Judaism and love of Israel, but their passion has been channeled in a strange direction from birth.

  5. London Male: Don't think anyone is blaming Jews who fall into this trap. They are innocent and that's why they're easy prey. It is the movement and the rabbis that lead it. We can't blame those that know no better and that is why the leaders of this mvmt. are chotim shemachtim.

  6. And if some of us are indeed Erev Rav, how would we/they know for sure, and what are we/they supposed to do about it anyway?

  7. To really convert takes years and years of searching and hard work. Not only look at Ruth but also Yitro. Yitro tried everything, searching for Hashem and he finally succeeded. You can't just convert by taking a 6 Week/j Day s week course at your local reform temple. Try 6 Days a week for 2 years while living in the Jewish community and having everyone watching you to make sure you are real. Then working in the Jewish community for 20 years raising a Jewish family with a Jewish wife and take night classes at the local shul to continue to learn. then make Aliyah to Jerusalem and attend full time Yeshiva.




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