The Anusim Center |
for those who awaken from their slumber |
Helping B'nei Anusim reconnect to their heritage |
As advocates for B'nei Anusim we facilitate Halachic Return and Halachic Conversions, rescue B'nei Anusim misled, or deceived, by Messianic Groups, and lobby for broader recongition of B'nei Anusim in Authoritative Rabbinic Groups. We are a group of Orthodox Jews (Ashkenaz & Sephard), "Returnees" and converts sensitive to the issues concerning return of B'nei Anusim to their ancestral heritage. |
Basis for what we do... |
Exodus (Shmot) 20:4-5 4 ... I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; 5 and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments". This is understood to mean that if parents do not pass down Jewish customs and traditions to their children - then by the 5th generation those descendants are considered non-Jews (even with their Jewish geneology). In such a case, Halachic Conversion is required to be accepted back into the Jewish community - this holds true for all Jews, at all times, in all lands - not just B'nei Anusim. Halachah (Jewish Law) categorizes the status of a Jew according to their commitment to rabbinic tradition. The three most common categories are: Min - a Jew who denies the existence of God, Meshumad - a Jew who willingly converts to another religion (apostate) and abandons observance of Halachah, Anusim - a Jew forced to convert to alien creed yet observes Jewish Law in private. |
Yes, it is true, some people descend from the forced converts of Spain and Portugal and are known to descend from Conversos (i.e.Jews who converted and totally assimilated into the Christian religion thereby losing ALL Jewish customs and traditions) ...and for those folks this "halachah" (Jewish Law) is valid and it does apply to them (i.e. they need to undergo Halachic conversion to rejoin the Jewish people). |
If you wish to explore returning to normative Rabbinic Judaism, you will find numerous web-based resources to assist you in compiling genealogical evidence. Please be aware that, in practice, 1 person out of 100 qualifies for "Halachic Return". For those who do not qualify for halachic return we then recommend you to genuine Synagogues to pursue conversion under the guidance of Yeshiva-trained Rabbis with a minimum of 'YorehYoreh' Smichah. |
Copyright 2009 Anusim Center LLC |
In Jewish belief, the essence of Abraham is shielded from danger within all of us throughout countless generations. The guardian of Israel never sleeps. His chosen nation never entirely loses touch with who they really are. |