What does the process of converting to Orthodox Judaism involve?

Question

I live in the UK and want to convert to orthodox Judaism - what will be all of the steps and how long will it take?

Answer 1

What are the steps?
1. Find a Rabbi
2. Have money to pay for synagogue membership
3. Attend on Saturdays
4. Read and learn Jewish laws
5. Most importantly, Learn Hebrew

That's about it since you are female. Keep in mind, Judaism is not just a religion, it's a culture and a way of life not to be taken lightly.

Answer 2

I can only speak as an orthodox Jew who has a best friend converting this way at the moment...
The best way to find this out is to contact a local Orthodox rabbi.
Generally speaking, the Jewish Orthodox conversion process involves learning about Judaism then living a Jeiwhs lifestyle (observing the Sabbath, the holidays, and keeping kosher) for a year. At least this is how it is done in Los Angeles...
Here are some links you may find useful:
http://www.chabad.org/centers/default.asp?country=England
http://www.aish.com/aishint/
GOOD LUCK:)

Answer 3

answer: Ivy is faulty - maximum Orthodox gained't marry outdoors their faith and also you do not convert through marriage. Shabbat is a few hours away for me right here. discover an Orthodox synagogue close to you and communicate with the rabbi. there'll be a route to take, operating one-on-one with the rabbi, incorporating Judaism into your existence on a established foundation, shifting in the route of the synagogue so as that that's interior of walking distance, studying Hebrew, shifting more and more into holding strict kashrut. this may take 2-3 years. there is plenty to study notwithstanding the studying procedure is complicated and delightful.

Answer 4

Be aware that although Judaism does accept sincere converts (in contradiction to what an earlier poster claimed), they will do their best to discourage you. Their attitude is that only Jews are obligated to keep the commandments, and if there is a possibility that you will not keep them all it's better for you and the world if you remain a gentile, than become a Jew who doesn't keep everything.

Go and see the rabbi at your nearest synagogue, he will talk you through the process. It is likely to take several years. You will need to attend classes to learn about the rituals and practices of Judaism. The final step will be a ritual immersion.

Answer 5

hi :) wow, i want you to know that converting to orthodox judaism is really admirable... it takes a huge amount of dedication and love for G-d to commit yourself to such a devout lifestyle when you do not even have to! converts to orthodox judaism are a real inspiration to other jews like me who are not incredibly observant... i wish you good luck!

anyways, from what i know, you will have to see an orthodox rabbi (who may or may not turn you away three times), you will be expected to attend classes, practice keeping the law and the holidays, and do a lot of reading! at the end, you will have to be circumsized if you are a male who is not circumcized, and be immersed in a pool of water called a mikveh no matter what gender you are

Answer 6

JewishGirl up there gives a good answer. I would only add that the time necessary for a conversion varies from person to person, but for it to take a few years is not at all unusual. One of my best friends was raised Jewish according to the Conservative Movement, only to find that he wasn't Jewish according to halakha (Torah Law). Proper Torah observance became really important to him, however, and he underwent an orthodox conversion, in spite of the fact that the vast majority of Jews would accept him as such. As you might imagine, this guy was pretty well-read to begin with (and extremely intelligent). Despite this, however, the process took him approximately two years. Of course, it was complicated by the fact that he was in Arizona, and the nearest Beis Din (Rabbinical Court) was in LA. Personally, I feel that they kind of jerked him around a bit. But in the end, he made it, and since then has spent time in yeshiva, and now, is in law school.

So yeah, you're going to have to seek out a Beis Din (also spelled/pronounced "Beit" or "Beth" Din - the latter being the prevalent usage in your neck of the woods, I believe). And expect some opposition. This is only because we want the most dedicated people to convert. Because there's nothing in Judaism that says you have to be one of us to be on G-d's good side (Noah, for example, wasn't Jewish). And once one converts, certain things that earlier would not have presented a problem suddenly become sins. A non-Jew by definition is incapable of keeping or desecrating the Sabbath (so they don't get that special merit - but they also don't have it held against them). There's nothing in Judaism that says a non-Jew can't have a ham sandwich (compare this to the recent controversy over in the Twin Cities where some Muslim taxi drivers were refusing to pick up passengers who had either consumed or were carrying alcohol because Islam forbids it... I can't imagine a Jewish cabbie refusing a passenger because he or she was carrying a bottle of non-kosher wine, but I digress). Long story short, Judaism is not a religion for those who wish to observe their faith one day a week, or a few days a year (sadly, many of my coreligionists would disagree). There's also a movement out there of Torah-observant gentiles calling themselves Noachides or B'nei Noach who keep the laws of the covenant G-d established with Noah. It's definitely worth a look: http://www.aish.com/literacy/judaism123/The_7_Noachide_Laws.asp

Those guys aren't Jewish, but they are certainly followers of Orthodox Judaism. Isn't that crazy? Personally, I'm a fan. I think most of the people that join them are Christians who read their Bibles a little too carefully. ;)

So, let's see...
The steps will include consultation with a beth din, a LOT of studying, practicing being observant (my friend for example, would keep Shabbos 99.9% to accustom himself to it, but because he wasn't Jewish yet, he would have to perform a single melakha, that is, forbidden labor, like flipping a light switch or picking a fruit from a tree)... once the beth din clears you, you immerse in a mikveh and choose a Hebrew name (ending in "bas Sarah" for women, and "ben Avrohom" for men). Men of course must be circumcised; but those who already are must undergo a symbolic hatafas dam bris, where a drop of blood is drawn from the glans (I think they usually make a tiny pinprick...having undergone a full adult bris myself, I laugh at my friends who complain about this tiny procedure).

And there you have it...basically what JewishGirl said, but in my signature incoherent rambling style. Still, I hope you were able to glean some additional information from it. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Answer 7

it could take quite awhile and it depends on a lot of factors, but usually It takes more than a year.

though the Orthodox Rabbi your in contact with in England should be able to give you more details.

Answer 8

Go ask a Rabbi, he'll try to discourage you. Learn a lot of laws, convince a Jewish court that you're sincere, immerse, males get circumsised. At least a year, I think.

Answer 9

It is a life changing process and literally takes a life time.

Answer 10

The jewish faith is being practiced falsely right now.
In the book of leviticus it says that without the shedding of blood ther is no remission of sins
and last i heard jews no longer sacrifice in the temple.

The conversion rituals are in the book of leviticus. sorry i'm not sure of what passages