I attended a Messianic Jewish congregation for a few years and have studied Judiasm for a long time.?

Question

I want to convert. Any suggestions.

I want to convert to Judiasm. I know that it is not easy, but it is something in my heart to do. My son and I (9) have studied and kept the festivals and Shabbat. This is just something I feel like I really need and want to do in my heart. I am adopted, so I don't know my heritage.

Answer 1

I would agree with what Reb Yoshi said. I have seen many Gentiles pass through the Messianic Movement on their way to Rabbinic Judaism.

Obviously the only legitimate way for this to occur is via Orthodox Judaism (Reform conversions are not valid). But, no matter what branch of Judaism you would seek to convert by, they would all require you to reject any notion of Yeshua being the Messiah. Now, obviously I don't know you or where you are coming from. You might never have been a Believer in Yeshua and, as has been said already, you were always drawn to Judaism and the Messianic Movement was just a learning tool in order to get there.

Or you might have been something of a believer, and have now come to believe that Yeshua was a deception. Or you might be considering the possibility of faking being one who doesn't believe in Yeshua for the sake of conversion, thinking that you will pick up belief in Yeshua again once the conversion process is completed. If that is the case, then understand that there are severe spiritual consequences. Remember Matthew 10:33 "whoever denies me before men....."

One man that I know who converted from Messianic to Orthodox Judaism suddenly found that his faith left him entirely. Once the conversion process was completed he found that he didn't feel any draw to actions of faith at all. He is now an atheist, utterly without any desire to practice the very religion he sought so desperately to convert to.

So, be introspective and question your motivations carefully. And if you still decide to follow an Orthodox conversion, be aware that they will turn you away at least 3 times, so be ready to answer their questions as to why you are converting. They will tell you that there is no valid reason for you to convert - that you can live as a righteous Gentile without any need for conversion. They will tell you that you are opening the door in your life to face the same anti-semitism and persecution that we have always faced. So consider how you will respond to all of these statements.

Answer 2

If you don't have a relationship with Jesus, such confusion and thoughts will enter your mind... it is easier to follow external forms then to transform from within. Your Messianic friends have it right... the Hebrew Bible is fulfilled in Jesus who is the Christ, and just as Moses raised the snake in the desert that anyone who is bitten would be saved, the same way Jesus was raised on a cross... so that anyone who believed would be saved. When Jesus came the End has come, but He was rejected by the very people He called his own. As it is written in John 1:10-11 "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own (Jews), but his own did not receive him." This is why in Matthew 21:44 you will find Jesus saying "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes", meaning the Israel was God's chosen through whom He was going to reveal his glory... but having been rejected by his own, He postphoned the End and gave the inheritence to the Gentiles (much like the way Jacob recieved his inheritance). You are in a unique place, being a Jew you have the favor of the Lord (assuming you believe Him and thus live accordingly)... reverting to Judiasm would deny your acceptance of Jesus. You would be waiting for the "Messiah" that has already come, so the next on around the corner is the fake Messaih... the soon to appear AntiChrist (He too will be Jewish). Do not be mislead... instead pray for understanding and revelation, God answer's prayers... especially those offered with a sincere heart!

Answer 3

Yes. Hi Kmoc, I'm a Rabbi.

Usually when we hear from people from Messianic backgrounds they want to convert for 1 of 2 reasons. One is innapropriate, one is appropriate, and I am not saying you are from either group.

The first is that they have come to think of the Jews in a philosemitic way, desire to be part of the chosen people, possibly immigrate to Israel, but still retain Christian beliefs they want to hide from the converting rabbi until the process is over; afterwhich they plan on going with their new conversion to Israel, joining the army and living a Zionist dream. This is obviously the inapropriate way, and they are quickly discovered and told they are not candidates for conversion.

THe second is that the person always had a curiousity about Judaism, but were intimidated by meating "real Jews," so they went to Messianic Judaism because it felt comfortable, contained some of the interesting elements they were interested in with a theology they were more accustomed to and felt was accurate; but as they grew in knowledge they realized that theology was not what they had come to believe is accurate, and now they want to move on and join the mainstream Jewish community.

This is an appropriate motive for conversion. It is also more healthy than what some do, which is to move, pretend they have a Jewish ancestory they don't, and try to assimilate into a Jewish community. Those people are always spotted because the background story sounds plausible to them but has holes, and an otherwise excellent candidate for conversion ends up feeling rejected when caught in the lie.

If you want to talk more, you can email me through this sights capability, I will send you my private email, and we can see if I can contact a Rabbi in your area you can speak to without pressure to figure out where you are coming from and what you feel is best for your family and future.

Hope I can help.

Answer 4

Ok so you want to convert to Judaism or Messianic Judaism? I'm a bit confused.
If it's Judaism, which have you studied? Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or Reconstructionist?
Also, generally speaking, you would need to speak with a rabbi, go before a Beit Din (House of Judges) and usually you are denied 3 times before you are allowed to begin the conversion process.

Edit: Thanks for the clarification, but I'm still not sure which branch of Judaism you're interested in. So, based on what you've said, call a synagogue and ask to speak to the rabbi. Explain what you've just said here (beautiful, btw) and ask him what the next step is for you. Remember, it's tradition that they do not accept you on the first try.. normally you have to apply three times with a waiting period in between applications.. however, you can usually study and attend services no matter what.

many blessings to you on your spiritual path..
Kallan

Answer 5

I take it you mean you want to convert to Judaism, and not to a Messianic movement-they are not Jews. They are Christians.

Go to an Orthodox Rabbi to convert, if you are a young woman. If you have children, you will want them to be accepted as Jews by all the branches of the religions. The religion follow the mother in Judaism. If you are a man-----it does not matter as much.

Answer 6

I think that you should convert to Judaism if that is what you really want to do, but meet with a priest, rabbi, or other religious leaders to make sure that you are making the right choice.

Answer 7

I suggest that you talk to whoever was leading the Messianic Synagogue you were attending before, if you can. If not, find a similar place and ask them.

Answer 8

If you choose to convert to Judaism you cannot believe in Jesus; the two beliefs are diametrically opposed!
If you still want to convert, these links will provide useful information:
http://whatjewsbelieve.org/
http://www.becomingajew.org/
http://www.convert.org/
http://www.aish.com/
And for a rabbi near you, look here:
http://www.chabad.org/centers/default.asp
Good luck!

Answer 9

convert to what Messianic Jewish or Judaism?

Just talk to a Rabbi of either.

k1

Answer 10

Be blessed and may you have the desires of your heart