Apostasy in Judaism

Apostasy in Judaism is the rejection of Judaism and possible conversion to another religion by a Jew.<ref>Apostasy is defined as "renunciation of a religious faith".</ref> The term apostasy is derived from Template:Langx, meaning 'rebellious'<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (Template:Langx<ref name="JE" />). Equivalent expressions for apostate in Hebrew that are used by rabbinical scholars include Template:Transl (Template:Lang, literally 'one who is changed [out of their faith]'), Template:Transl (Template:Lang, literally, 'transgressor of Israel'), and Template:Transl (Template:Lang).<ref name="JE">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> Similar terms are Template:Transl (Template:Lang, lit. 'destroyed one'), and Template:Transl (Template:Lang) or Template:Transl (Template:Lang), which denote heresy and the negation of God and Judaism, implying atheism.<ref name="JE"/>

Classes of apostates and relevance

A mumar is someone who does not observe a certain mitzvah or who observes no mitzvot at all. Rabbinic categories differentiate between a mumar ledavar echad (מומר לדבר אחד)—one who foregoes observance a certain mitzvah—and a mumar lekhol hatorah kulah (מומר לכל התורה כולה)—one who observes none of the Torah. Likewise, they differentiate between a mumar l'teyavon (מומר לתיאבון), who transgresses mitzvah(s) wantonly due to craving (teyavon) or convenience, versus a mumar l'hakh`is (מומר להכעיס), meaning one who transgresses out of spite, who defies the mitzvah willfully.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Some halakhic aspects of the status of a mumar include the following: a mumar is considered akin to a gentile in matters related to commerce; it is prohibited to lead them into actions that are forbidden; in the context of matrimony, ritual purity, and inheritance (with certain exceptions), they are classified as an Israelite; and the sages established that there is no mourning for a mumar.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

However, today, another category, tinok shenishba ("captured infant"), a Jew who sins as a result of having been raised without sufficient knowledge and understanding of Judaism, is widely applied and should be considered.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A tinok shenishba is not halakhically classified as a mumar, regardless of how much of Halakha they observe.

Examples

In the Bible

The first recorded reference to apostasy from Judaism is in Template:Bibleverse, which states: Template:Blockquote

In the Talmud

In the Talmud, Elisha ben Abuyah (referred to as Acher, the "Other One") is singled out as an apostate by the rabbis.<ref>Template:Cite wikisource</ref>

Medieval Spain

In Medieval Spain, a systematic conversion of Jews to Christianity took place, largely under duress.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The apostasy of these conversos provoked the indignation of some Jews in Spain and it was made illegal to call a converso by the epithet tornadizo (renegade).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Some Spanish Jews, however, remained crypto-Jews despite being compelled to convert to Christianity (see Anusim). They are also called Marranos.<ref>Joseph Jacobs and Meyer Kayserling. "Marano." Jewish Encyclopedia. JewishEncyclopedia.com.</ref>

Sabbatai Zevi and Jacob Frank

In 1648 Sabbatai Zevi claimed to be the Jewish Messiah. His Jewish followers were known as Sabbateans. Zevi converted to Islam in 1666. Afterwards, some of his followers willingly converted but continued to practise Sabbatean rituals. These people became known as the Dönmeh.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In the 1750s Jacob Frank claimed he was the reincarnation of Zevi and attracted many followers in Poland, known as Frankists.<ref name="MW2"/> In 1759, with Frank's encouragement, more than 500 Frankists were baptized as Catholics. Frank himself was also baptized, with the King of Poland as his godfather.<ref name="MW2">Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions, Wendy Doniger, p. 358, Published by Merriam-Webster</ref>

See also

• Conversion of Jews to Islam
• History of Jewish conversion to Christianity
• Heresy in Judaism
• Humanistic Judaism
• Jewish atheism
• Jewish Buddhist
• Jewish schisms
• Jewish secularism
• List of converts to Christianity from Judaism
• List of Jewish atheists and agnostics
• Messianic Judaism
• Off the derech
• Religious disaffiliation
• Self-hating Jew
• Zera Yisrael

External links

• Template:Cite encyclopedia