Do Gentiles Have To Become Jewish to go to Heaven?
Question
Hello Rabbi! I am a curious person and have studied all Abrahamic religions. I wanted to ask: 1. Do you want everyone to know the true religion? In your case Judaism. 2. Why dont your religion want converts? So everyone else than those few lucky go to hell. Why do I have to go to hell since I am just because I wasnt born as the chosen people. 3. How are you sure you are correct? What sect of judaism is correct? I am just trying to find the correct way of life and judaism has always called upon me. I am interest in converting but I have these questions. Thank you Rabbi
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question!
It is wonderful that you believe in the One God of Israel...the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
There is no need for you to convert to Judaism.
Judaism believes that God loves all mankind. One does not need to become Jewish to go to heaven. All that God wants from the Non-Jewish world is that they observe 7 precepts, or commandments. They are known as the “Noahide Laws.” They are called “Noahide Laws” because the requirement to observe these seven laws was given Noah, a righteous non-Jew (yes, the fellow from the story with the flood).
The 7 laws are:
1. Don’t murder.
2. Don’t steal.
3. Don’t worship false gods.
4. Don’t be sexually immoral.
5. Don’t eat a limb from an animal that is still alive.
6. Don’t curse God.
7. Establish a system of justice.
Any human being who observes these laws goes to heaven. There is no need to follow any other religion. You can pray to God in your own words and your own language.
Take a look at the website https://www.netivonline.org/ which specializes in helping non-Jews with religious beliefs. There is a wealth of information there that you will find useful and inspiring. It is also worth looking up the “Noahide” or "B'nai Noach" movement and consider joining them!