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Answer: The most important thing is that when you convert you will be Jewish. This is something that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. It is important to note that conversion to Judaism is a one-way street. Once you take the plunge (literally and figuratively), you’re a full-fledged member of the tribe forever.
- Why Is Conversion to Judaism So Hard
Similarly, if you choose Judaism, you also need Judaism to...
- Mikvah
The period of niddah is a time, usually lasting twelve days,...
- Why Is Conversion to Judaism So Hard
Dec 23, 2013 · I am very sincere about converting; I just don’t have a way. An Orthodox conversion process requires four commitments: one, the candidate must live proximate to and participate in a local Orthodox community; two, the candidate must pursue a course of formal and informal Jewish education; three, the candidate must increasingly observe Jewish ...
- Denominational Differences
- Steps Towards Conversion
- After You Convert
Because the different movements have such different visions of what constitutes a “good Jew,” the requirements for conversion can vary significantly among them. A traditional beit din, for example, expects a conversion to be based entirely upon the desire to become a Jew, whereas the liberal movements permit more latitude in a candidate’s initial m...
Learning/Study
Conversion candidates are urged to learn as much as possible about Jewish religion and culture, to seek out a variety of Jewish experiences, and to talk to a rabbi early in the process. Many people start by enrolling in Introduction to Judaism or Judaism 101 classes, which are frequently offered at synagogues, Jewish community centers and other Jewish institutions. For assistance finding such classes near where you live, you may want to: 1. Contact your local Jewish federation or Jewish commu...
Circumcision
If the candidate is male, the first step in a traditional conversion is to undergo brit milah, or circumcision, or if already circumcised, hatafat dam brit[ritual extraction of a drop of blood]. Reform and Reconstructionist rabbis may offer the candidate a choice about hatafat dam brit if he is already circumcised.
Beit Din
Once the circumcision has healed, a beit din is assembled. This three-person court, generally comprising at least one rabbi and two other observant Jews knowledgeable about the laws of conversion, has sole authority to rule on the convert’s readiness for conversion. The beit din explores a candidate’s sincerity by evaluating his or her knowledge, motivation, and intent to live as a Jew. For traditional Jews, a convert must assent to kabbalat ol ha-mitzvot, acceptance of the yoke of the comman...
Even for the most sincere converts, the post-conversion period can be challenging, as the new Jews-by-choice reestablish relationships with their birth families, develop new ones with newly acquired Jewish families, and work to bridge the emotional gap between feeling like “a convert” and being a Jew who truly feels part of am Yisrael, the Jewish p...
Aug 7, 2018 · Converting to Orthodox Judaism is an intense and rigorous process. It involves intimate rituals, intimidating religious authorities, profound emotional transformation, and a fair amount of anxiety.
Review the Reform movement’s list of upcoming Introduction to Judaism courses here. The movement also offers an online version of this class. Check out the Conservative movement’s list of upcoming conversion classes here. Contact a local Orthodox congregation or rabbi and ask which class they recommend for prospective converts.
A male convert to Judaism is referred to by the Hebrew word ger ( Hebrew: גר, plural Hebrew: גרים gerim) and a female convert is a giyoret. In all branches of Judaism, a ger or giyoret is considered a full Jew; the literal meaning of "stranger", "resident", or "foreigner" refers to the convert's origin, not present status. [citation needed]
You can pray on your own and with a prayer community in a Jewish congregation. Judaism accepts the idea of a covenant, or agreement, between God and the Jewish people. 2. Judaism doesn’t accept the idea that people are born evil. Rather, people have free will to choose between right and wrong. 3.
