Although the Midrash indicates that bashert is fundamental to the development of successful marriages, it must be understood that finding your bashert still does not mean that you and your partner will be happy . Rather, the Midrash should be interpreted as an example of how quickly marriage to someone other than your bashert, or someone not of the Jewish faith, can deteriorate. Ultimately, the Midrash can be seen as an instrument intended to discourage interfaith marriages. Despite the stigma of interfaith marriages, some Jews still wish to marry outside the faith. The non-Jewish partner will likely be encouraged to convert to Judaism if this is the case. Those wishing to convert must contact a rabbi and prove their devotion to the religion. Yet rabbis are instructed to refuse those who attempt to convert for marital purposes. The refusal is severe (with little explanation) and occurs more than three times. This concept of refusing converts, even for marital purposes, contradicts the desire of Jews to marry other people.