While non-Force-sensitives cannot be Jedi, they can tap into the Force with limited ability and even create a bond with a lightsaber.
Only those brought to the Jedi Temple as children can become Jedi because they demonstrated Force-sensitivity.
Non-Force-sensitives cannot be a Jedi since to become a Jedi Initiate, one must boast a higher midi-chlorian count. However, not all Jedi retain the Force, as they can sever their connection if they choose.
While one must be Force-sensitive to make a lightsaber, non-Force-sensitives can use them. However, lightsabers won’t grant non-Force-sensitives the same benefits, like blocking blasters.
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Can Non-Force-Sensitives be Jedi?
Jedi were monks whose primary focus involved deepening their natural Force-connection. This is something a non-Force-sensitive could not accomplish, even with Jedi training.
While Luke Skywalker and Rey were born not knowing they were Force-sensitive, they still possessed natural Force-sensitivity, deepened it, and became Jedi Knights.
But if they were non-Force-sensitive, they wouldn’t have connected with former Jedi via the Force.
While non-Force-sensitives could not be Jedi in a way that would have seen them enter the Jedi Temple as an Initiate, they could still live by the Jedi Code and live by its religion/philosophy.
They could study the Jedi’s ways and emulate them.
However, non-Force-sensitives can wield lightsabers. There are plenty of examples in the franchise, such as General Grievous wielding four of them to great skill in Revenge of the Sith serving as a primary example.
But, lightsabers could never take non-Force-sensitive beings as far. For the Jedi, lightsabers served as both offensive and defensive weapons.
They can block blasters with their lightsaber, but a non-Force-sensitive cannot do this since it requires the Force.
There are also several examples of non-Force-sensitive beings dueling Jedi to no avail. Pre Vizsla dueled Obi-Wan Kenobi and he failed. Boba Fett didn’t get far with Darth Vader after the latter used the Force to his advantage.
Can you be self-taught to be a Jedi?
While no Jedi in Star Wars was one-hundred-percent self-taught, a few popular names had no choice but to spend most of their training teaching themselves the Ways of the Force.
Luke Skywalker learned a little about the Jedi from Obi-Wan Kenobi and a little more from Yoda during the Original Trilogy.
Even though he “completed” his Jedi training after confronting Darth Vader, Luke still had a lot to learn about the Jedi.
Between 5 ABY and 15 ABY, Luke immersed himself in searching the galaxy for information that would help him further understand and rebuild the Jedi Order. He eventually took on students as Padawans, including his nephew, Ben Solo.
Story of Kanan Jarrus
Kanan Jarrus is perhaps the best example of a self-taught Jedi. Originally known as Caleb Dume, he received formal training as a Jedi Youngling and became Depa Billaba’s Padawan.
Unfortunately, Order 66 brought a premature end to Jarrus’ formal training. Billaba took the damage while ordering Jarrus to run.
Like most Jedi on the run from the Empire, Jarrus spent time following Order 66 living anything but the Jedi lifestyle.
Not long after, he joined the Ghost crew, led by Hera Syndulla. He also encountered Ezra Bridger and discovered the boy’s Force-sensitivity.
Bridger was eager to learn, so Jarrus trained him, and in the process, further trained himself.
Of course, as his abilities grew, Kanan never taught himself to be a traditional Jedi. He developed emotional attachments, and like Luke Skywalker he used those attachments to give himself a reason to keep fighting.
How powerful did Kanan become?
During a trip to the Jedi Temple on Lothal, he had a Force vision of Yoda. In his discussion with Yoda, the former Jedi Grand Master stated he finally sensed him because he took on Ezra as a Padawan.
Do all Jedi Have the Force?
All Jedi have the Force, but they can sever their connection to the Force.
To keep Snoke (or anyone) from tracking him, Luke Skywalker severed himself from the Force following his jaunt into exile before the Sequel Trilogy.
Additionally, the Jedi used a technique called Force Stealth.
Also called Buried Presence or Force Concealment, Force Stealth permits a Jedi to conceal their Force-sensitivity to other Force-sensitives, allowing them to avoid detection when situations called for it.
This maneuver came in handy when a Jedi wished to avoid mental attacks, or to shield their affiliation if they went into enemy territory. For example, Revan used the technique before infiltrating the Sith Academy on Korriban to hide his light side affiliation.
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda also used Force Stealth to evade the Empire following Order 66.
What is a Jedi Without the Force?
Without the Force, a Jedi could not perform anywhere near to the same levels in combat. They could wield a lightsaber, but they could not block blasters with it.
Their athletic ability and physical strength would still be great, but they would lack superhuman qualities.
During his duel with Darth Sidious, Yoda, well into his 800s, still performed acrobatic moves and even absorbed and reflected the Sith Lord’s Force lightning.
But a Jedi without the Force loses more than their incredible fighting ability. They lose every ability their Force-connectivity brought, like precognition, visions, deepening their understanding and unraveling truths.
Can a Lightsaber be Made Without the Force?
The Force grants Jedi the ability to perform telekinesis. This allows them to construct a lightsaber after they overcome their biggest fears to acquire a kyber crystal. Since telekinesis is a requirement to construct a lightsaber, they cannot be made without the Force.
In Star Wars Canon and Legends, Jedi could lose their initial lightsaber. However, they could repeat the process to construct a new one, assuming they did not sever themselves from the Force.
Rey manually repaired Luke Skywalker’s old lightsaber given the weld marks it contained, while she was still Force-sensitive.
Only Force-sensitives can make lightsabers because the Force was needed to align the kyber crystal. Kyber crystals contained high concentrations of the Force, therefore only Force-sensitive beings could handle them.
General Grievous is one of the best-known non-Force-sensitives to wield lightsabers. However, he never constructed them. He took them from every Jedi and Padawan he killed.
Conclusion
Only Force-sensitives can become Jedi since they’re detected and taken to the Jedi Temple between infancy and age two, though some may be as old as five.
Although rare, some Force-sensitives taught themselves how to become Jedi, like Kanan Jarrus.
While all Jedi are born with higher midi-chlorian counts that grant them Force-sensitivity, they can sever or conceal themselves from the Force. Luke Skywalker severed his Force connection during the Sequel Trilogy and Obi-Wan Kenobi shielded his while in exile.
Since lightsabers require kyber crystals, they require the Force for construction.
Sion Fawkes has been covering Star Wars since January 2022, expanding his expertise in both Star Wars Canon and Legends. When not writing, you can find Sion in the gym or running trails. He also likes watching sports and listening to audiobooks.