Conversion To Judaism - Terminology

Terminology

A male convert to Judaism is referred to by the Biblical Hebrew word ger (Hebrew: גר‎, plural gerim) and a female convert is a giyoret. The word is related to the term "proselyte" which is derived from the Koine Greek Septuagint translation of the Bible. In Karaite Judaism a Ger is a non-Jew who has yet to fully convert to Judaism. After a Ger converts to Judaism, they are no longer considered a Ger but a full fledged Jew.

The word ger comes from the Hebrew verb l'gar (לגר) meaning "to reside" or "to sojourn ". In the Hebrew Bible ger is defined as a "resident", or "sojourner." However, the English Bible mistranslated, ger as "stranger." In Hebrew, "stranger" is translated as zar ( זר). Marc Angel writes:

"The Hebrew ger (in post-Biblical times translated as "proselyte") literally means "stranger" and refers to a non-Israelite who lived among the Israelite community. When the Torah commands compassion and equal justice for the ger, it is referring to these "strangers." But Rabbinic tradition interpreted the word ger as also referring to proselytes..."

In the Talmud, "ger" is used in two senses: ger tzedek refers to a "righteous convert", a proselyte to Judaism, and ger toshav, a non-Jewish inhabitant of the Land of Israel who observes the Seven Laws of Noah and has repudiated all links with idolatry. Today, ger refers to a convert to Judaism.