The Call to Be Jewish
Historical - This post deals with Jewish attitudes towards conversion and the challenges facing a potential convert. Conversions in either direction, but especially from Christianity to Judaism, were quite rare in 1220, but they did happen. The Jewish understanding of the nature of a convert, a ger or giyoret, is worth exploring.
Unlike Christianity or Islam, Judaism does not seek to be a universal religion. It is a tribal religion, intended for the Israelite people. Judaism does not seek to have non-Jews convert, it only seeks that they should live righteous lives following seven simple laws that include such things as not committing murder and setting up just courts. The Jewish people are “chosen,” not in the sense of being the elect, but in the sense that they have the extra burden to bear of being subject to the 613 mitzvot.
None-the-less, Judaism does accept converts. The famous teachers of the great rabbi Hillel, Abtalion and Shemaiah, were converts, for instance. And, famously, a dispute between the great Hillel and his rival Shamai revolves around how to treat a prospective convert, and it is Hillel who accepts him. More recently, in 1102 a famous priest named Johannes of Oppido converted to Judaism, taking the name Obadiah and fleeing to Egypt. A recent phenomena in 1220 is priests who are taken by the laws of the “Old Testament” and come to believe that there is a deeper truth in that book, that does not require a New Testament.
The essential Jewishness of a convert is very important in Judaism. There is no distinction between a convert and a born Jew (with a few rare exceptions). The Talmud emphasizes that it is against halakah to remind a convert of their status. And the Talmud understands the transformative moment of the revelation at Mt. Sinai as having representation from converts as well, “Rav Ashi said to him: Even though they [converts] themselves were not at Mount Sinai, their guardian angels were present.”
A potential convert must convince the Jewish community, and their local rabbis, that they are one of these special few who were represented at Sinai. Many converts describe themselves as having felt like they were always called to Judaism, or having felt like they were missing something in their life that they discovered was Judaism. By signs like this, as well as by many months and years of diligent practice, that a convert proves themselves worthy to join the community.
New Minor Story Flaw - Sympathetic to the Jews
You are not Jewish, but you are sympathetic to the Jewish people. This is not a popular opinion among your Christian peers. You have stood up for the Jewish people or individual Jews at times, and the local Jewish community is aware of your actions and grateful for them. At times you find yourself called to help the Jewish community when they are in need, and from time to time they help you in return.
New Major Story Flaw - Jewish Nefesh
You have a Jewish Nefesh, roughly translated as a Jewish soul or a Jewish spirit. You are not Jewish yourself but your guardian angels were present at Sinai. This drives you to be drawn to Judaism, and you may seek to convert at some point in the future. The Jewish community will not be receptive to you at first. They recognize that many potential converts falter in the lengthy process of conversion. As well, they see that when a conversion does happen then the Jewish community, as well as the convert, is often punished by the local Christian authorities. If you do eventually convert then you lose this flaw and gain the Major Outsider Flaw.