Is there anything specific I have to do to convert to Judaism?

Question

I'm Christian right now and I want to convert to Judaism. Is there anything I need to do? What do I do to convert?

Answer 1

you need to be circumcised

Answer 2

First, you should understand that from the Jewish view, there is no need or requirement for a non-Jew to convert to Judaism.

Both Jews and Gentiles are on equal footing in terms of having the free choice to do good or evil in the world, and having access to God.

In fact, conversion to Judaism is actually discouraged for this reason; because it's just unnecessary. The difference is that Jews are given more responsibility in the world (more commandments).

The Torah puts forth 7 universal laws for all people (both Jews and Gentiles), called the Noahide Covenant (sheva mitzvot b'nei Noach).

Answer 3

If you're Christian, you can't convert to Judaism. You would have to abandon all non-Jewish religious beliefs (this is a pre-requisite for conversion to Judaism for obvious reasons). So "I'm Christian right now" doesn't qualify. "I was Christian" is another story.

And yes, there's a lot that you need to do. Technically, it depends on what you mean by "Judaism". In the Reform Movement, there's little more that needs to be done than signing a piece of paper saying "okay, I'll be Jewish now," and paying temple dues. But if you were serious, the only conversion that's universally accepted among Jews is an orthodox conversion (that is, a conversion to Torah-observant Judaism). That requires some serious study, under the guidance of a Beis Din (a rabbinical court), and it is culminates with a circumcision (for men - or, for those already circumcised or born without foreskin, the symbolic drawing of a drop of blood from the glans, called a "hatafat dam brit"), immersion in a mikveh (ritual bath - probably where Christianity gets the idea of baptism from), and the adoption of a Hebrew name (ending in "ben Avrohom," son of Abraham, for men, or "bas Sarah," daughter of Sarah, for women) for ritual purposes. The process can often take anywhere from six months to several years.

But why would you want to convert to Judaism? If you're Christian, there's no point in it, and even if you weren't, there's nothing in Torah that teaches that there's anything wrong with being a non-Jew. In fact, before Avrohom Avinu, G-d established a covenant with Noah, that included seven important mitzvot (not identical to the Ten Commandments, but with several in common). Any Gentile who keeps these commandments is, according to Judaism, guaranteed a portion in the World to Come. In fact, there is a growing religious movement of people who believe in what the Torah teaches (without the changes later imposed by Christianity), and who practice Judaism as it applies to them, without converting. They call themselves Noachides or B'nei Noach (Children of Noah). From what I gather, most of them are former Christians who just read their Old Testament a little too carefully and came to the conclusion that something about their religion was off.

We Jews discourage conversion because, again, there's no automatic hellfire and damnation for non-Jews, and also because we only want the most dedicated of potential converts. When you convert to Judaism, you accept the entire Torah upon yourself. And things that may not have counted against you as a non-Jew (for example, there's no commandment that a gentile can't eat pork or shellfish), are considered sins for a Jew (so kiss those shrimp cocktails goodbye). Hence, if the person isn't absolutely, 100% serious about adopting the Jewish way of life, they maybe be doing themselves a lot more harm than good. Better they should follow the path of the righteous gentile, with Noah as their example.

For more on the Noachide Mitzvot (which you can keep as a Christian - the secret is to not just follow them, but to follow them with conscious intent of keeping G-d's commandments), check out the following:

http://www.aish.com/literacy/judaism123/The_7_Noachide_Laws.asp

If you want to know more about the Noachide Mitzvot, or about conversion to Judaism, the best thing to do is to talk to your LOR (local orthodox Rabbi). If you can't find one to talk to in person or over the phone, you might try this website the Lubavitcher Chasidim have,

http://www.askmoses.com .

You can probably find more on the subject there, AND, if you still don't find the answers you're looking for, you can talk to one of their people live, over the internet, for free.

I hope this helps, and best of luck to you whatever you decide.

Answer 4

you ought to like Reform Judaism. I advise you're taking some training & communicate with some Rabbis. It takes a twelve months of so of learn with a Rabbi when you return to a decision you elect to transform, so which you have gotten an excellent gamble to work out if it relatively is fairly a in effective condition for you. whether you on no account convert, you have gotten discovered some thing & had an thrilling time. the justifications you gave are all valid & authentic ones for changing. And as quickly as you exchange you would be one hundred% Jewish & area of the kinfolk. additionally, in case you visit synagogue, attempt out some, considering some ought to no longer be a in effective condition. (it fairly is authentic for already Jewish people too.) that's a substantial selection. i could wish the internet will no longer be your basically source of finding out :-). you will additionally could communicate with the Rabbi related to the countless movements of judaism & that's best for you (orthodox would not settle for reform or conservative conversions.) As a reform jew myself, my perception in God sounds corresponding to yours. i think of there is factors of actuality to the adam & eve tale (which technology thought has supported that we got here from a single guy&lady), yet needless to say the Jewish telling of it would not contain unique sin or blaming the female, so for us that's a diverse tale. No Jew believes the son-of-god thought or choose for a killing to convey stable. it relatively is totally opposite to Jewish perception in one everyday summary God. so which you're good that Jewish recommendations must be best for you. ===== another extreme-high quality element approximately Judaism -- you will no longer be asked to unfold your faith, the way an excellent style of answerers have been doing right here...

Answer 5

The first thing you need to do is "research" it before you make a decision. And decide why you are doing that. Is if for a "guy", family or other or for yourself? You need to check your inner spirit.. How about reading the real bible: The book of Life: Especially Ephesians and Romans. That can help.

Answer 6

it takes a lot of work. you will need to find a rabbi who will agree to convert you, and then there should come a lot of study. you will have to study jewish history, jewish culture, jewish issues, jewish holidays, jewish scriptures. you will be expected to read a lot of books about judaism. you will be expected to learn at least basic hebrew. you will be expected to know how to perform the commandments that apply to you. you will be expected to attend services regularly. you're not male so you don't need to worry about circumcision, but you will still have to be evaluated by a jewish court and immerse yourself in a mikvah.

upon conversion you choose your own hebrew name which will end with "bat avraham" to show that you are now part of the spiritual family of abraham and so that you will be able to claim the ancestors of the jews as your own forefathers. you will NOT be able to continue believing in jesus, i warn you that now.

Answer 7

i know many many people who have converted and are happy now...you need to start by talking with a Rabbi and telling him why you want to convert

Answer 8

I don'd know the specifics becaause I am Catholic. But I do know that you need to talk with a Rabbi. Is there a synagogue near you? Call them or walk in and speak to the Rabbi. He wil help you with this. Good luck!

If you don't mind, could you email me. I'd like to know why you are converted from a religion that believes that Jesus is the Messiah to one that doesn't. Just curious. Thanks!

Answer 9

As a supposed Christian I suppose you would start by denying Christ atonement and decide you are good enough to stand the judgment of the law and you are perfect and Christ atonement and sacrifice was unnecessary. Hmm..you say you are Christian which means that you have already decided God is righteous and we are not therefore you reject salvation in favor of judgment knowing you are unworthy...sorry it doesn't make much sense to me perhaps you could explain?

Answer 10

First, ignore the Fundies who will tell you to "NOT DO IT!!! JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY!!!"
Talk to a leader of a local temple.
They'll tell you what you need to do.
Most of the time it's rather lenghty like converting to Catholosism though.

Answer 11

Do you want to deny Jesus??

If not, you want Messianic Judaism. It is BEAUTIFUL, I recently switched myself. We keep the Law (best we can), Sabbath, all the feasts and have synagogue on Saturday. However, we recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah, and await His second coming.

If you want more info, email me.
If you want to deny Christ and become fully Jewish I am not sure what to tell you.

Remember, the feasts and Sabbath are the Lord's. They are for ALL, no matter who tells you otherwise. See DEUT 16

Blessings
David