- Family and Society
- Attitude Towards Other Nations
Renouncing my Judaism
Question
I wish to renounce being Jewish. What are the steps, if any?
Is there an association to give my tefillin to ?
I dont want to throw them out. They are in good condition.
Answer
Shalom,
You are very lucky and fortunate that you cannot renounce your Judaism (for Judaism is not just a religion but also a national identity- even non-religious Jews are still Jewish!). You are lucky enough to have been born to the eternal Chosen People, who have, in the words of Mark Twain, "contributed more to mankind and done more to civilize mankind than any nation in history". The reason that this virtue is irreversible is because only someone who is ignorant about the Nation of Israel would dream of leaving this great nation, so G-d does a favor to those ignorant and basically "forces" them to discover their good fortune! Like a kingly loving father, who wants to give his son a great gift, but his son isn't mature or learned enough to realize why this gift is so great- the loving father will not give his foolish son any choice, but keeps the gift waiting until the son learns to understand.
Aren't you curious why the Jewish people outlast all the others? Aren't you wondering why we are the called the People of the Book, who have been awarded 22% (!) of the Noble Prizes while comprising only 0.2% of the world's population (literally 100 times more than logic), and sport most (53%!) of the world's chess masters! Aren't you curious why the nations of the world are so preoccupied with the Jews and the small State of Israel, way out of proportion to our size? Aren't you proud that your nation is the one who brought modern physics (Einstein) and Psychology (Freud), the cellphone (Motorola-Israel), memory stick and Windows XP (Microsoft-Israel), Facebook (Mark Zuckerberg), most importantly: monotheism (belief in One God) and morality, the two greatest achievements of mankind, to the world?
For your sake, I suggest you go spend even one week in Aish HaTorah, Machon Meir or any yeshiva geared for explaining basics, to help you appreciate your great fortune, and understand why Jews can never and should never want to run away from themselves and their destiny!
Welcome Back!
Rav Ari Shvat

Are Jews/Israel part of Western Civilization/Culture?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 10, 5779

Rishonim vs. Achronim
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 25 Cheshvan 5763

Toasting the Queen
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Adar II 8, 5774

Peticha for a Non-Jew
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Elul 26, 5768

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Bircat baalat habayit
Shevat 7, 5771

Keeping non-definite chametz and staying in a dorm
Nisan 3, 5771

Goyim at Shul/hashkafah of Shul
Adar II 1, 5771

Investing in firm selling Chametz
Adar I 23, 5771

Mezuzah for a Catholic Family?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 15, 5779

Placing & Storing a Siddur and other holy Jewish books
Rabbi Ari Shvat |

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Kashering a dishwasher
Rabbi David Sperling | Cheshvan 23, 5778

Understanding Measurements of Ezekiel's Third Temple
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tammuz 4, 5782

Relations with a gentile woman
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 20, 5782

kabbalistic meaning of water drinking
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Sivan 25, 5782
