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Judaism is among the seminal religions of the world, and is the first known monotheistic religion (in which only one god is worshiped). It preceded Islam in tracing its shared roots back to Abraham, a patriarch of the Torah, the holiest book in Judaism. It preceded Christianity by as much as two thousand years and; Jesus of Nazareth was Jewish according to Christian theology. What Christians refer to as the "Old Testament" is actually an edited version of the original Hebrew Tanach. If, after deep consideration, you decide to convert to Judaism, follow these steps.
Steps
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QuestionDo I have to be a certain race to be a Jew?Community AnswerNo, you do not. Judaism welcomes all races.
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QuestionCan I still convert if I do not have any Hebrew heritage?Community AnswerYes. If you have the desire, you can convert.
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QuestionCan Judaism accept those who are disabled?Community AnswerOf course! Judaism teaches that all people are made equal in God's eyes, regardless of any physical or mental disability.
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Tips
- Although not necessary, some choose to have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah (Son or Daughter of the commandments) ceremony. A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is when a boy (age thirteen) or a girl (age twelve or thirteen) reaches the age of maturity under Jewish law. As an adult under Jewish law, one is considered old enough to read from the Torah. They are required to perform Mitzvot (commandments derived from the Torah and expanded through both the Talmud and continued discussions known as Responsa, often mistranslated as 'good deeds'; though this is what they usually are, this is not the literal translation). It is a "Minhag" (custom which is accepted by the community as law but not an official commandment) in some communities to lead a Torah reading service soon after you become Bar-Mitzvah (usually within a month). Most Bar or Bat Mitzvahs nowadays are followed by a big party, although the party is strictly optional, has no bearing on the Mitzvah being performed, and can be customized to your religious and financial level.Thanks
- When one becomes a Jew, they will acquire a Jewish name, by which they will be called for important Jewish rituals (such as being called to the Torah or getting married). Jewish babies are given Jewish names at their bris (circumcision), for boys or at a naming ceremony, for girls. Some popular Jewish names are Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya'akov (for boys), and Sarah, Rivka, Leah, and Rachel (for girls).Thanks
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Warnings
- If you decide not to convert Orthodox, keep in mind that: 1) An Orthodox conversion is accepted by all other groups (Reform, Conservative, etc.) while a Reform or Conservative conversion is not at all accepted by the Orthodox as valid. 2) If you are a woman and you convert non-Orthodox, any children you have before or after the conversion will not be considered Jewish by Orthodox Jews and may have difficulty getting into Orthodox Jewish schools. 3) If your spouse becomes more religious in the future (which is happening a lot these days), you may need to reconvert and/or remarry in accordance with Jewish law. All this is according to Orthodox practice, however. A Conservative conversion will be seen as legitimate (no different than if you were born Jewish) in every capacity by Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism. Reform conversion is often accepted along similar lines, but not always. And even if you convert via Orthodox routes, it is not guaranteed that all Orthodox authorities will accept your conversion as authentic (although usually they will). If you intend to convert Orthodox, you must intend to keep with the lifestyle it entails — if you do not intend to continue the lifestyle and just want to say you converted Orthodox, this is grounds for an illegitimate conversion under the Orthodox movement and, to a larger extent, halakhah (you should only convert if you have a full intention of staying in that denomination, or of becoming more religious). To Orthodox, it is a matter of protecting the Torah.Thanks
- If you intend to convert to Judaism, be aware that, unlike other religious groups, Jews do not actively seek converts, and you will be advised several times to live a moral life without being Jewish keeping only The 7 Noahide Laws. This may be the right path for you — consider it carefully.Thanks
- Be prepared for antisemitism, or anti-Jewish sentiment. Though the world has become more tolerant toward Jews, there are still many groups around the world with hatred towards those who follow the religion.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Torah (Jewish Bible)
- Siddur (Jewish prayer book)
- Jewish study books
- Hebrew language study
- Jewish objects for your home
References
- http://aish.com — A well-established Orthodox Jewish organization, with info on many Jewish topics.
- http://www.askmoses.com — A handy Q&A website, with a rabbi's answers to questions sent in by readers.
- A reliable source for the basics of Judaism, Ten commandments and the Thirteen principles.
- Beware of information you find online about Jews and Judaism! Much of it is unreliable. When in doubt, ask a real rabbi.
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- "I was raised in a Catholic household and have been going to church since I could remember. I always just went with what my parents and family told me to do with my religion, but never quite understood or believed the entirety of Catholicism. Now that I am a young adult, I want to get more in touch with my religion. After going back to church, I've found myself confused and am considering conversion. Reading this article has definitely helped me get a better understanding of the process to do so." ..." more
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"I was raised in a Catholic household and have been going to church since I could remember. I always just went with what my parents and family told me to do with my religion, but never quite understood or believed the entirety of Catholicism. Now that I am a young adult, I want to get more in touch with my religion. After going back to church, I've found myself confused and am considering conversion. Reading this article has definitely helped me get a better understanding of the process to do so."
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"I've been considering converting to Orthodox Judaism for a while. I don't know why, but I feel a strong connection to Judaism and converting to it seems like the right choice for me. There's a Jewish Community Center near me and I think I'll go there and ask the people there some questions. "
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