Proselytism

Submitted by Reynald de Chatillon (Australia), Jun 4, 2020 at 02:06

If a Palestinian Muslim from the West Bank were to convert to Judaism, what would be his status? Would he be automatically entitled to Israeli citizenship?

Many of our readers would be surprised to know that the Jews were once enthusiastic proselytisers, especially during the Hellenistic Age. For example, the Hasmonean kings, John Hyrcanus and Aristobolus I converted the hitherto pagan Idumeans and Itureans to Judaism (late 1st century BC). At one stage, nearly 10% of the population of the Roman Empire was of the Jewish faith. Proselytism seems to have largely fallen out of fashion after the two major Jewish revolts against Rome in 66-73 AD and 132-135 AD.

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