Being raised Christian, how may I convert to Judaism?

Question

I would like answers on not only converting, but ideas on how to present this to friends and family, who WON'T support me in my belief.

Answer 1

visit your local synagogue and speak to the rabbi there. he can point you in the right direction regarding the classes and whatnot.

I wouldn't tell your friends and family before you actually go to a few classes and decide that this is definitely what you want to do.

Answer 2

hi :) well, the first thing you would have to do is visit a rabbi... preferably orthodox. very many rabbis (but not all) will turn you down 3 times according to an ancient tradition, to test that you are sincere. after the rabbi agrees to convert you, you will have to attend intro to judaism and hebrew classes if the synagogue has them, if they don't it will consist mostly with private study with the rabbi and integration into the jewish community. the rabbi will likely set you up with a "host family" that you will be expected to spend holidays with so that you can learn how they are practiced. it requires intensive study and commitment and love for judaism and of course you are always free to change your mind at any time. but if you decide to pursue it, the rabbi will monitor your progress and knowledge and decide a time when you are ready to convert (usually its at least a year-long process in order to get through the entire jewish year). you will then be brought before a beit din (jewish religious court) who will question you about your knowledge and sincerity and when you have answered the questions to their satisfaction they will set a time for you to be immersed in a mikveh and the rabbi and you will recite some blessings and voila! you will be jewish after that. also if you are a male you will need to be circumsized.

as for how to break it to your parents you should read some "conversion to judaism" books (there are a LOT) and most of them cover conversion experiences with birth parents. from what i have heard, the best conversion book and the one most recommended by rabbis to prospective converts is "becoming a jew" by maurice lamm. you should also read the book "This is my God" by herman wouk... its also an intro to judaism book, and i have read it personally and i guarantee that you will enjoy it, its simply beautiful... the authors love for judaism really shows. personally though i have no idea how you should tell your parents, i've never been in that situation.

hope this helps! shalom

Answer 3

I'm Catholic but this might help. God Bless

we as Christians believe in the same God and the same revelation they do, plus the New Testament. As the Holy Father has pointed out, Christians are all "spiritual Semites" (spiritually united with the Jews and the faith of Abraham). Basically, Christians are what you could call “Messianic Jews,” that is, we are "adopted" Jews who believe Jesus was the long awaited Jewish Messiah;..the Savior. We have been grafted into the family tree. Of course, our faith has grown considerably from there as well. While we have significant theological differences with traditional Judaism (primarily revolving around Christ), our understanding of morality is of the same basic cloth.

We should never forget our roots. We should never forget that Jesus was a Jew (who attended synagogue), as were his mother and adoptive father, all the apostles and even the first pope (Peter). Almost all of the first "believers" were Jews, and they all attended synagogue as well. While it is true that some Jews called for His execution (particularly those threatened by Jesus as a potential leader who threatened their hold on power), the Catechism reminds us that every human who has ever lived bears responsibility for his crucifixion. We are all responsible.

As Christians, we believe that, in rejecting Jesus, most of the Jews rejected their own Messiah, as prophecy foretold (Isaiah 53:3-4, Hosea 11:4). As the apostle Paul points out in Romans 11, this is part of a mystery, wherein God used their lack of faith-response in order to bring the Gentiles (non-Jews) into His family. While there continue to be Jews who come to accept Jesus as the Jewish Messiah throughout history, we prayerfully hope for the day when the Jews will most fully come to accept Jesus and be "grafted back into the tree" (which St. Paul also writes about in Romans 11).

Answer 4

Dear Lisa,
Sorry but I, like your friends and family, wouldn't support you on this.

Being raised Christian and being a Christian are two different things.
Some one who is a Christian would not convert to Judaism, because they would know that the Messiah that the Jewish people are waiting for is Jesus (Yeshua). So that would be saying that you don't believe Jesus is the messiah.

There are messianic Jewish congregations. It's so cool to meet Jewish people who know Jesus as Messiah, and keep the feasts and laws in the Torah.

My suggestion would be to seriously study the old and new testaments for yourself and see if you still want to be Jewish. Read the book of Hebrews!

Also as Christians we are "grafted into" Jewish roots. (see Romans 11)
So this may not be the answer that you were looking for, but I would encourage you to seriously consider this. I love the Jewish people, and am glad that we are have the same roots.

check out this web site
jewsforjesus.org

Answer 5

Understand that this is a serious matter. Go to your local synagogue. Tell the rabbi you would like to convert and you will be denied. You must do this three times. It tests your desire and it proves to them that you are willing to do this. Classes will ensue to teach you all aspects of Judaism and then there will be a baptism (in the Jewish sense) to bring you into the faith. Be preapared for it all. It's a very emotional experience and you will learn a lot about yourself.

Answer 6

You arent a million/2 Jewish. Being Jewish is exceeded down with the help of the mum, no longer the father. while you're mom is a Jew, then you definately're a Jew. it is not considerable what your father is. in case your mom isn't a Jew, then you definately are no longer a Jew the two, even in case your father is a Jew. So in case your mom is a Jew, via fact her mom is a Jew, and so on. then you definately are totally a Jew already and don't could desire to transform. Oh, P.S. in case you opt for to end believing in Christianity and training Christianity, then in basic terms end. in case you opt for to commence training Judaism, go see an Orthodox Rabbi and that they are going to be chuffed that may assist you. EDIT: to a minimum of one guy's Opinion: Messianic "Judaism" is a branch of Fundamentalist Christianity, started with the help of Baptists. it is not a Jewish stream. Over ninety seven% of those in it are Gentiles, and by no potential have been Jews. in case you pay attention a Messianic "Jew" say they seem to be a Jew, the probabilities are high overwhelming that they are mendacity. The Messianic "Jewish" stream replaced into began as a manner to be a deceptive thank you to capture and convert actual Jews to Christianity with the help of appearing to be Jewish. That replaced into its total objective. interior the pamphlets despatched out with the help of the Baptists who started this, they specifically state the thank you to transform a actual Jew devoid of alarming her or him, including by no potential using the be conscious "Jesus", yet to apply "Yeshua" instead, by no potential placed on a go yet do placed on a megastar of David and a Kippah on the pinnacle, and so on, and so on, and so on. they're liars.

Answer 7

God no longer calls people to convert to Judaism, which officially became obsolete around 2,000 years ago, with the destruction of both Jerusalem and the Temple.

The "traditional" Jewish faith hasn't existed in the world for many, many years now. Modern Jewery has splintered into thousands of different groups, all professing different beliefs.

Please investigate this matter thoroughly and very carefully before you make any further decisions.

You are on the wrong track, and are in danger of seriously compromising your relationship with God.

Answer 8

If you are a Christian, you are already a Jew by the Spirit of adoption. We have been adopted into the family of Abraham. The only difference is that Jews don't believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and they still believe that following Mosaic law can save them. Only Jesus Christ followed the law to the letter. Therefore, the law can't save us. If it could, then Jesus died in vain. Peace.

Answer 9

If you don't have any Jew blood in your body-forget it!
But why would you want to do that? You can not possibly be a Christian if you have a desire to be a Jew. Could it be that you just think you are a Christian? No Christian could want to be a Jew. Either you are joking, or extremely confused.

Answer 10

I say go for it, if you are christian you only get presents for one day(christmas), if you are jewish you get presents every day of Hanukkah, judaism wins hands down.

for those of you lacking a sense of humor: this was a joke