Take the 2-minute tour ×

Is there any reason that someone who has committed horrible sins in the past (for example, mass murder) could not become a Jew? Assume, of course, that the sinner/criminal is willing to do teshuvah for his actions.

It would seem that, for example, certain historical figures placed themselves beyond the pale of ever being able to become a Jew, even if they had repented in their lifetimes. Is it correct that such people would have been categorically forbidden from becoming Jews? If so, at what level of sin is that line drawn?

share|improve this question
There is no such thing as being unable to repent. Which historical figures are you referring to? –  HodofHod May 29 '12 at 3:17
Well, one in particular comes to mind. But jutky's answer would suggest that even he could have become Jewish if he had done teshuvah in his lifetime. Correct? –  SAH May 29 '12 at 12:10
Related: judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/6429/… –  jake May 29 '12 at 16:38

2 Answers 2

up vote 14 down vote accepted

Anyone can convert to Judaism.

We find an example in Gittin 57:2 that Nevuzardan killed millions of jews and then converted.

share|improve this answer
Interesting, though, considering the statement from the Gemara I quoted in my answer: would the Sanhedrin have still put him to death for those murders? –  Alex May 29 '12 at 16:20
@Alex Would kind of warning would you give him? –  Double AA May 29 '12 at 16:21
@DoubleAA: there's no shogeg for a ben Noach, "because he should have learned [that this action is forbidden] and didn't do so" (Rambam, Hil. Melachim 10:2). So it sounds like no warning is needed. –  Alex May 29 '12 at 19:00
@Alex But you might need warning to have him killed after conversion. –  Double AA May 29 '12 at 19:10
@DoubleAA: doesn't look like it. See Rashi to Sanhedrin 71b, ד"ה הואיל and ד"ה לישראל, that hasraah would indeed have been needed had he committed these acts after his conversion, but not before. –  Alex May 29 '12 at 19:50

A halachic source that bears on this is Rambam, Hil. Melachim 10:4 (from Sanhedrin 71b):

A gentile who converts after cursing G-d's name, worshipping false gods, engaging in relations with a colleague's wife, or killing a fellow gentile is exempt from punishment.

In contrast, if he converted after killing a Jew or having relations with a Jew's wife, he is liable...

So we see that he can indeed be accepted as a convert.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer


