Introduction - Ger as the Kosher Universal Spiritual Path

Introduction to Ger as the Kosher Universal Path

Ger, (poorly and wrongly translated as resident stranger), is an extremely important concept in Torah, as it emphasizes the inclusivity of this spiritual path. Ger is the individual who has made Kabbalah and committed to the yoke of Torah, joining him/herself to God, attaching him/herself to Israel, and rejecting all forms of intermediaries or shituf.

This concept of Ger IS the Kosher Universal Path of the Torah-based spirituality that offers a path to connect with the Divine that is accessible and relevant to people of all nations, without the need to convert and without religion. The term "kosher" in this context does not refer to dietary laws (Kashrut), but to a spiritual path that is authentic and true to the teachings of the Torah. The term "Universal" implies that this path is open to all people, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or background.

According to Torah, God chose Israel to be a light unto the nations and to receive the Torah at Mount Sinai, and rules over Israel directly without the intermediary of an angel. Ger has rejected all forms of intermediaries or shituf and embraced the Seven Laws of Noach, making a commitment to accepting the yoke of Torah and connecting to God directly, and attaching to Israel.

The concept of making Kabbalah involves declaring a commitment to accepting the yoke of Torah, joining oneself to God, and attaching oneself to Israel, as well as rejecting all forms of shituf (intermediaries). This declaration is made in front of a mini Beit Din (court) of three Jews, who afterwards proclaim aloud "mekabel, mekabel, mekabel," translated as "accepted, accepted, accepted." By making this declaration, one becomes part of the fourth house of Israel, known as the House of the Gerim, and is no longer regarded as part of the nations.

Such a one is not only no longer under the authority of the angel that was ruling over his person but is now connected straight to God like Israel, which could also be interpreted as Yishar (straight) to El (God). Such an individual is known as a Yehudi (Megillah 13a), as a Yehudi has rejected idolatry (shituf).

The key principles that underpin Ger as the Kosher Universal Path include the importance of connection to the Divine, self-improvement, understanding one's soul, understanding the ger concept, mazal, inyan, how the universe works, and how God interacts with us. This path emphasizes the need for individuals to cultivate a personal relationship with the Divine through Torah study, prayer and  mazal.