Evidence of Conversion During the Babylonian Exile

Evidence suggests that conversion originated during the Babylonian Exile. Around the same time, biological genealogy was gaining popularity, especially among priests whose legitimacy was becoming increasingly defined by "pure" pedigree.

Extension of Biological Criteria to Jewishness

When the biological, or ethnic, criterion is extended to the definition of Jewishness, as it seems to have been by Ezra, the possibility of conversion is all but precluded. The Rabbis did not reject the primacy of genealogy, yet were also heirs to a strong pro-conversion tradition.

Confronting Tensions and Paradoxes in Rabbinic Discussions

In this book, Isaac Sassoon confronts the tensions and paradoxes apparent in rabbinic discussions of conversion, and argues that they resulted from irresolution between the two conflicting traditions.

Impact of Attitudes Toward Conversion

He also contends that attitudes to conversion can impact not only one’s conception of Judaism but also on one’s faith, as seems to be demonstrated by authors cited in the book whose espousal of a narrowly ethnic view of Judaism allows for a nepotistic theology.