If Judaism is true, Why can't I just read and observe the Torah and be considered a Jew?

Question

Why must I convert to be a Jew if I am circumcised and believe in only God as a savior?

I want to convert my self so:

If Abraham was the first Jew, how did he convert himself?

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What part of converting is the problem?

There are no synagogues around my city and I am young so I can't go out to far

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I know all of the 613 commandments already. Trust me, I know what I am getting into : )

Answer 1

Hoosier Daddy pretty much nailed the answer. Just as a nation's government has a legal process of naturalization for non-citizens to become citizens, so too the Torah prescribes a naturalization process for non-Jews to become Jews.

Abraham's conversion was admittedly unique. But it had to start with someone, and Abraham was the first in his generation to establish a personal relationship with G-d.

It may be that you know the 613 Mitzvos as found in the Written Torah - but are you familiar with the 2000+ years of rabbinic enactments which are, for all practical intents and purposes, equally binding upon the Jewish people? Being Jewish is one job you can't leave at the office.

Also, if you're young (living with your parents?) and in a place that has no Jewish community - well, communal life is a big part of being Jewish. It simply might not be practical to convert at this time. If you really believe in G-d and His Torah, your best bet is to uphold the Noachide Covenant by keeping the Sheva Mitzvos Shel B'nei Noach (The Seven Commandments of the Children of Noah). Any non-Jew who keeps these commandments (and specifically who does so with the intention of doing G-d's will), is considered righteous. Of them it is said (see the Rambam): "The righteous of all nations have a portion in the World to Come."

In short, the Seven Mitzvos are:

1. Do not murder.
2. Do not steal.
3. Do not worship false gods.
4. Do not be sexually immoral.
5. Do not eat a limb removed from a live animal.
6. Do not curse God.
7. Set up courts and bring offenders to justice.

My advice to you is to keep those commandments, and maybe read this book: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/087306433X/friendsofaishhat/. If you feel so inclined, you could get involved in the B'nei Noach movement (no conversion necessary):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noachide

And if after all this, you still feel yourself drawn to the Jewish people, well, keep studying. And, when you're old enough, and independent, seek out a Jewish community, and a beis din, and a rav, who can provide guidance on this subject.

I wish you the best of luck in your search.

Answer 2

Firstly, well done for all the studying etc; pretty impressive!

If you really feel drawn to Judaism, then it is of course possible to convert. If there is no synagogue anywhere near you, this will of course be harder. I think you would benefit from speaking with a Rabbi, who would help you decide if converting is the right path for you, at this time.

But there's no rush, presumably? Carry on with your studies; knowledge is never wasted. (this is a very Jewish attitude, trust me!)

Also, read up about other aspects of Judaism. One of my favourite books is the novel 'Exodus' by Leon Uris. It talks about Israel, and WW2. Definitely a good read and I think you will find it interesting.

Another good book, this time more about the more orthodox factions within Judaism, is 'The Chosen' by Chaim Potok. The sequel is 'The Promise'.

It may seem strange that I'm suggesting novels to you, but being Jewish is far more than the 'technical' aspects. Judaism is not a ritualistic faith; we have to understand and appreciate the meanings of the prayers we offer and the laws we follow.

So keep up with all the reading and the studying, until there is a time and opportunity for you to make an appointment with a Rabbi.

And remember that, according to our religion, would-be converts are initially discouraged somewhat, partly as a test of their sincerity, and also because Judaism forbids trying to persuade anyone to convert.

Bottom line: if you are a decent person, a 'mensch' as we call it, and you are fair, kind and compassionate to your fellow human beings, then this is very Jewish behaviour!

I really hope this answer helps a little bit.

Come and visit the Israel forum, in the Travel section, where you can read a lot more from Jews and Israelis, and of course you can ask any questions you like!

Answer 3

Judaism says that the only way a born gentile can become Jewish is through a proper conversion process. Thus, "if Judaism is true", than the requirements for being Jewish are true, too. Logically.

Abraham may or may not have been the first Jew. Some opinions say that he was merely a Righteous Gentile, since he lived before the Torah was given. Even if he was a bon-fida Jew, the 613 laws didn't apply before the giving of the Torah. So comparing Abraham's Judaism to yours is comparing apples to oranges.

Answer 4

This is a good question. First you must realize that Abraham was not a Jew. Secondly the national identity or people hood of the Jewish people was established at Mt. Sinai. Judaism does not proselytize simply because there is no need to. Unlike other religions that view theres as the only path to G-d Judaism understands that other paths may be just as viable for non-Jews so long as they fall under the Noahide laws. You see, a covenant was made with Noah and his offspring which includes the entire world. The Mosaic covenant was only made with the Jewish people and demands of the Jewish people a greater observance of rigid laws and piety so that the Jewish people will be a nation of priests able to administer priestly duties over the 70 Biblical nations. As a result, every nation (goyim) has it place and purpose and to demand that someone convert to Judaism is to obscure the purpose of G-d in that persons life.

Another misconception is that of circumcision. Circumcision in a Jewish context is the entering of a male into the Community of Israel. Therefore a circumcision done outside of a religious context does not have the same results. Therefore a valid conversion will require a blood letting ceremony of someone who has been secularly circumcised.

Now to make it clear there is a process of conversion. The question is "why would someone want to convert if they do not have to?" This question has been dealt with at length by our Sages and I can't replicate all of the reasons herein. However, for someone who has a burning desire and passion to convert there is a process to do so.

Answer 5

Because being and acting as a Jew is very hard. Gd decides who is a Jew, basically. He controls it. I also personally believe that people who end up converting were meant to--like they remember something from their childhood and/or they truly believe its true. And once you become there really is no going back. Even if you decide to change you have become a Jew already and you are liable to the punishments of not keeping commandments. You must study a lot and start observing Gd's commandments and you must go to the ritual bath all supervised by a competent observant and certifying rabbi.. If you are not a Jew you are not allowed to keep everything. For example--a non-Jew can't (is not allowed) keep the Sabbath in its entirety. So when people are converting, they keep it but they do something purposely wrong. Hope that helps!

Answer 6

You need to study more my friend, you can't be a Jew simply for observing all the laws, it requires a conversion process.

For a Non Jew they are only required the 7 laws G-d gave to Noah. You can certainly follow the other laws except you can't observe the Sabbath and a few other things. If you really want to be a Jew, look for an Orthodox rabbi.

Once he feels you are ready he will send you to a court of Observant Jews to see if you are ready to be a Jew. If they believe you are ready, then you will have to go to a Mikvah to get immersed in water and a needle will poke the part where your forskin once was to symbolize a kosher circumcision since the ones at the hospital are not Kosher.

Answer 7

I don't follow the problem.

if you want to be jewish, then why wouldn't you convert?

what part of converting is the problem?

also, by the way, Judaism does not consider itself to be the only true religion or any such thing.

Judaism is more than just a religious belief/observance, if you want to be part of it, you have to do the things involved ing being adopted into it. if all your concerned about is the spiritual truths that it holds, and not intrested in the rest... why would it bother you to not be considered part of the rest?

Judaism does not say that non-jews will get some bad afterlife or anything.
in fact non-jews get it easier, because they are not held to as high of a standard, and are not bound to observe as many rules.

why do you think you want to be jewish, and what part of converting is the problem?

edit:
if the issue is a technicality of not having an avaliable synogogue, what you can do is basically learn as much as you can, study torah, study other jewish books and history and such, just study study study and follow the law and such as best you can. learn hebrew if you can find a way... and just wait to do the rest til your older. if you have done that much studying and all, it should be easy, as you'll have already done the hard parts.

Answer 8

Being a Jew involves observance of 613 commandments. Perhaps you should study those commandments and give some thought to how serious you really are about converting.

Forget about conversion. Learning about Judaism is exciting for everyone -- with our without conversion as a goal.
.

Answer 9

Dude...if you DO observe every single law of the Torah and the Gmara/Tanach and everything AND you've been circumcized then I'd think you're already considered a Jew. But have you had a bar mitzvah? If not, then that's probably your biggest problem. No bar mitzvah, no Jew. Of course, you can still get it now or any time you'd like. My uncle just got it at like 30 or something. Once at my synagogue there was this really old guy who had one.

If being considered a Jew really was all that important to you then you would do what it takes to get to a shul/synagogue and have a bar mitzvah and maybe even talk to the rabbi about this matter while you're there....

Answer 10

Its not G-d as a savior. Its just G-d the father. That's it, just the one. The circumcision is due to the convent that G-d made with the Jews. As far as the studying goes, its because Jews prize education.