Shalom Aleichem, I am considering a halachic conversion to Judaism after having converted (along with several family members of mine) with a reform rabbi several years ago. In my research and studies, I have come across the term "Zera Yisrael", which I understand loosely means one of Jewish descent who is not halachically Jewish. I am wondering where the term comes from, what traditional contexts it is used in, and who the term specifically applies to. My curiosity stems in large part from an article by Rabbi Hyim Shafner (see source below) which seems to apply the definition liberally to include "someone who is not technically Jewish by birth but has some connection to the Jewish people, a Jewish father or grandparent, or perhaps lives in the Jewish country fighting its wars and casting their lot with its people". Does the traditional definition of "Zera Yisrael" include individuals of non-Jewish descent (and have yet to convert) who have cast their lots with the Jewish people and Yiddishkeit?
In your response, please include sources. Thank you!
(Source: http://morethodoxy.org/2010/04/03/why-we-need-a-reversion-of-conversion-by-rabbi-hyim-shafner/)
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