- 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

is khazar and keraim jewish?
Rabbi David Sperling | Kislev 17, 5782

Sincerely confused
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 29, 5781

Noahides
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyyar 25, 5782

renouncing or getting out of one's Judaism
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 3, 5773

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.

Ayin hara and Rambam
Tevet 28, 5771

Delaying aliya for career and studies
Adar II 25, 5771

Investing in firm selling Chametz
Adar I 23, 5771

Bircat baalat habayit
Shevat 7, 5771

Eating in Shiurim
Rabbi David Sperling | Tishrei 7, 5775

Food, medications and Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 13, 5780
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

Food, medications and Yom Kippur
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 13, 5780
Which pray jew can pray for pass away friend non jew?
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Elul 21, 5783

Urgent School Project
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 25, 5783
