Gerim

Not to be confused with Ger toshav.

Gerim (Hebrew: גרים, romanized: converts, singular masculine: גר "ger", singular feminine: גיורת "giyoret"), also known as gere ṣedeq (גְּרֵי צֶדֶק, righteous proselytes) are once-non-Jews who have converted to Judaism and have become full, "naturalized" Jews according to Jewish Law. A ger is recognized as having always borne a Jewish soul upon successfully completing their conversion, a process called גִּיּוּר ("giur") or גֵּרוּת ("geirut") in Hebrew. They are to be halachically percieved indistinguishable from Jews-from-birth, and generally adopt the minhag of the community amongst which they convert, but is free to adopt one according to preference. Many converts choose to label themselves as being Jewish-by-choice, while others do not prefer this label.

It is important to note that there is a distinction between a "ger tzedek" (גר צדק) and a "ger toshav" (גר תושב), who is a "resident alien" and is bound only to the Seven Laws of Noah.

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