Bo: Judaism Is Not About Conversion

The Exodus story is dramatic. We’ve got plagues, negotiations, miracles, and an oppressive ruler who just won’t let our people go. Through it all, God is putting on a show… and it’s telling that the demonstration of prowess is NOT for Pharaoh, but rather, it is for the Israelites.

At no point does God demand that the Egyptians believe in Him. Not once. He brings plague after plague with the request to set the Israelites free. 

And with each and every plague, God is the one that hardens Pharaoh’s heart and causes him to go back on his word. He doesn’t even allow Pharaoh to remain convinced of his power or to think clearly. 

It’s all about getting the Jewish people to believe in Him, not about converting anyone else.

This is truly unique. Most religions throughout history have been deeply tied to conversion, evangelism, and bringing others into the fold. But Judaism? That’s never been the mission. The Torah doesn’t care about making the Egyptians Jewish. Even in a post-Holocaust world, we don’t care about increasing numbers through conversion. Jewish culture cares about ensuring that we never forget who we are.

Jewish identity isn’t about convincing others—it’s about remembering who we are.

Over and over, we see this theme in Parashat Bo. God tells Moses that these miracles are happening so that we will tell our children and grandchildren (Exodus 10:1-2). The plagues aren’t about changing Pharaoh’s heart; they’re about shaping ours. We aren’t supposed to prove Judaism to the world. We are supposed to live it.

And isn’t that the whole story of Jewish history? We’ve never needed others to validate who we are. We don’t seek approval to exist. We survive, we remember, we tell our stories, and we move forward.

This is what makes Judaism different. It’s not about conversion or conquest. We focus on commitment and making sure we don’t lose our sense of self.