Q&A: Leaving the Faith
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Leaving the Faith
Question
Why is there no option to stop being Jewish the way one can convert into the religion? To add some explanation: we see that there are laws for gentiles too, meaning that a gentile also has a place to live according to the Torah’s outlook, and the Holy One, blessed be He, has no problem with that at all. So why, just because I was born to Jewish parents, should I get Gehenna for transgressions? (Hopefully you understood the question.)
Answer
Because Jewish law says it’s impossible. As for the Holy One’s reasons, ask Him.
Discussion on Answer
There are many things in Jewish law that I don’t understand. That is not a condition for being bound by it. Especially regarding morality, I’ve explained more than once that Jewish law and morality are two independent categories.
Is that not a bit unfair to give no reason, or is it simply that you don’t have one, and in any case the excuse is that you don’t need a reason in order to understand the laws?