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Difference between Jew and gentile & Conversion

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Rabbi Ari Shvat

Tishrei 3, 5779
Question
Dear Rabbi, Please could you tell me the difference between Jews and gentiles? I am one myself but I’m beginning to see how wrong us gentiles live; our priorities are all wrong and we are materialistic to the point of madness. I personally don’t know any Jews but I would love to see if there is a difference in the way both parties live. Thanks,
Answer
Please allow me first to admire your idealism! But as opposed to Christianity and Islam who both want to convert everyone, Judaism is contrarily extremely tolerant towards other monotheists in general and aren’t interested in the least in converting anyone to Judaism! The reason is simply that every group is important in the harmony of the world. Just as Kohens can’t be Levites, and also regular Jews (Yisraelim) should be satisfied with their important role, similarly there is a beauty in manliness, as there is in femininity, and each role is unique and necessary. There is a necessity for gentiles and they have an important role, and that’s why we aren’t interested in them converting to Judaism and even try to persuade them to change their mind. When a gentile observes the 7 Noachide mitzvot, s/he should already be idealistic and not materialistic, and there's no need to undergo the significant difficulty in observing the demanding 613 mitzvot. Only if one is really adamant in their sincerity we would allow them to convert, and they are 100% Jewish, because Free-Will is also an ideal!
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