Editing Conversion to Judaism (section)

== Terminology ==
{{Jews and Judaism sidebar |Culture}}
The word ''[[Gerim (Jewish religious category)|ger]]'' comes from the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] verb {{Transliteration|he|lagur}} ({{Script/Hebrew|לגור}}) meaning "to reside" or "to sojourn [with]". In the [[Hebrew Bible]] ''ger'' is defined as a "foreigner", or "sojourner".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bibleencyclopedia.com/stranger.htm |title=Stranger |publisher=Bible Encyclopedia |access-date=2012-07-21}}</ref> Rabbi Marc Angel writes:
{{Blockquote|text=The Hebrew ''ger'' (in post-Biblical times translated as "proselyte") literally means "resident" and refers to a non-Israelite who lived among the [[Israelite]] community. When the Torah commands compassion and equal justice for the ''ger'', it is referring to these "residents". Rabbinic tradition interpreted the word ''ger'' as referring to proselytes..."<ref>Marc D. Angel (2005). "Choosing to Be Jewish", K'Tav Publishing.</ref>}}

Angel's explanation of the literal meaning of "''ger''" as alien is borne out in [[bible|biblical]] verses such as {{bibleverse||Lev|19:34|HE}}:
{{Blockquote|text=The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.}}

Another verse which has been interpreted as referring to non-Jews converting to Judaism is Esther 8:17, although no process is described. ({{bibleverse||Esther|8:17|HE}}).

The [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] word ''ger'' in Numbers, chapter 15, is rendered by the Greek ''[[proselyte|prosílytos]]'' ({{langx|el|προσήλυτος}}) in the [[Septuagint]], and by the [[Aramaic]] as {{Script/Hebrew|גיורא}} in [[Aquilas]]' translation of the Pentateuch, which word in both cases denotes a "convert to Judaism".<ref>[[Targum Onkelos]] on Numbers 15:15{{ndash}}16</ref>
A formal male convert to Judaism is referred to by the Hebrew word ''{{Transliteration|he|ger}}'' ({{langx|he|גר}}, plural {{langx|he|גרים}} ''{{Transliteration|he|gerim}}'') and a formal female convert is a ''giyoret''.<ref>{{bibleverse|Numbers|15:15-16|HE}}</ref> In all branches of Judaism, a ''ger'' or ''giyoret'' is considered a full Jew; a word rendered in most English translations of the Hebrew Bible as "stranger", "resident", or "foreigner." In [[Karaite Judaism]] the term ''{{Transliteration|he|ger}}'' only refers to a non-Jew who has yet to fully convert to Judaism, and once converted to Karaitism, is no longer called ''ger''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.karaitejudaism.org/talks/Gerim_By_Eliezer_haKohen.pdf |title=Can a Ger become a Yisreeli? |access-date=6 September 2010 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131751/http://www.karaitejudaism.org/talks/Gerim_By_Eliezer_haKohen.pdf |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

In the [[Talmud]], ''ger'' is used in two senses: ''ger tzedek'' refers to a "righteous convert", a proselyte to Judaism, and ''[[ger toshav]]'', a non-Jewish inhabitant of the Land of Israel who observes the [[Seven Laws of Noah]] and has repudiated all links with [[idolatry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.7for70.com/ |title=Ger Toshav – A Look at the Sources for Contemporary Application:A Proposal for Intermarried and other Allies in our Midst |publisher=7for70.com |access-date=2012-07-21}}</ref> In [[Modern Hebrew]], the unqualified term ''ger'' means ''ger tzedek''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://judaism.about.com/cs/conversion/f/ger.htm |title=Converts – Conversion to Judaism |publisher=Judaism.about.com |date=11 June 2009 |access-date=2012-07-21 |archive-date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711212509/http://judaism.about.com/cs/conversion/f/ger.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>