Is it possible to identify as a Jew if you observe their holidays and eat kosher?

Question

I was raised Roman Catholic, but it has seemingly been that I have been doing things the Jewish way...

Can't I just say I'm Jewish?

Answer 1

Dee,
I suspect if you shake your family tree hard enough a Jew will fall out on your mother's side. When I did that, I found my mother's mother was Jewish and went through a forced conversion.

It is common among those who are just learning to be Jewish to say they are Jewish. But I might identify you more as a proselyte based on your description. What's nice about being a proselyte is G-d loves them more than Jews.

The conversion process is a long process of learning the Torah, learning to be Jewish and proving mostly to yourself that you can live as a Jew.

The Torah is a covenant between Israel and Hashem. It has a lot of blessings, but if we don't follow it, it has a lot of affliction therapy. The conversion process ensures you know what you are getting into before you enter the covenant.

Back to the holidays and kosher. Feel free to do these things. Often it's these physical things that draw people back to their Jewish soul root. Maybe it would be a good idea to add Shabbat, too. Nobody expects perfection in these things. But doing them may stir up in you a desire for G-d that will lead to G-d drawing you closer.

Try visiting a Synagogue in your area. (Not a messianic one). Don't get too worried about which kind you go to. They are all as good as you want them to be. You can be observant in any of them. Instead, try to attend one that has a Rabbi that teaches and one that does conversions.

If you can't find a shul with a Rabbi that does conversions, don't worry about it. One will appear when it's time.

When you look back, you may find the path to converting was more enjoyable to actually being converted. But only if you stop learning.

May you be blessed on your spiritual journey.

Gershon

Dee,
I'm going to give you a very deep answer which you may not understand until much later.

I'd suggest you use the following verse from Psalms 42 as a theme. As the deer yearns for brooks of water, so my soul longs for You, O G-d. My soul thirsts for G-d, for the living G-d.

There has apparently been a stirring up from above of a recognition or your Jewish soul. You have shown its effect by doing some mitzvot already. There are 3 things that characterize Jews. 1. A love/fear of Hashem and how fortunate we are to have received a bit of what Hashem is.
2. A desire to learn about Hashem by delving into the mysteries of the Torah in a way that no other group has. 3. A desire to study the mitzvot given to us in the Torah.

These 3 things form a vessel that will hold whatever it is that Hashem sends us. People will try to put up roadblocks to stop you. Don't let them. Don't let a rabbi tell you you can be a noahide, don't let anyone stop you from your journey by throwing up spurious arguments. Each time they do, reaafirm your love for Hashem, Torah, and mitzvot.

The vessel you are making is the lamp of the menorah. Once you have created the vessel by a love of Hashem, Torah and learning mitzvot, then you have the tools to connect to Hashem.

The oil in the lamp must be very pure in order to give off a bright steady flame. To purify yourself, you must do three things. 1. Totally nullify yourself to the wisdom that is coming in. Don't question what you are reading until you have time to absorb it. A lot won't make sense, but if you are reading from good Jewish commentary, it will be correct in some sense. What you are trying to do is become bitul, or nullified. When you take your ego, those things that stop what's comming in, out of the equation, then the chochmah, wisdom, the birth of new concepts will be able to enter your mind. From this chochma will come an expansion of concepts into what's called Binah or an understanding of what the concepts mean. When you do this, you will be rewarded with Daat, or knowledge of what to do when it comes time to do a mitzvah. Hashem will reward your study efforts with an opportunity to do a mitzvah, and it will be the actually doing of the mitzvah that will connect you to G-d. The word mitzvah means to connect. Or from the command (of G-d.) You are recognizing and acting on the knowledge of the kingship of Hashem in this world.

The oil will be drawn up through the wick which is your body and rest upon your head. You will at this time be "anointed" as a servant of Hashem. Because the oil is on the head, it will be able to burn without consuming the wick. The quality of the flame will be based on the quality of the vessel and the oil in the vessel.

The flame consists of two parts. The dark flame which is the animal instinct for pleasure, known as the nephesh or the animal. If you successfully teach the animal soul that pleasure is derived from doing mitzvot, it will be a powerful source which will allow the bright flame of the Shechina/Neshamah (the presence of G-d/the divine soul) to burn brightly without consuming the wick. You will be able to contemplate the greatness of Hashem which will drive you to study Torah and learn the mitzvot, forming your vessel. You will be humbled so that you are in a position to learn the wisdom of G-d in order to do the mitzvoth. It's a cycle that continues over and over.

Once the light is shining brightly above the lamp, Hashem sees it and this arouses a response to connect with you to give you another shot of a stirring of your divine soul. In the sacrifices, an umbilicus of smoke was aroused from below to connect with the supernal realms so that there could be a Shepha (flow) of kindness down through the umbilicous.

People will try to discourage you along the way. Each time to do, try expressing your desire for Hashem by reading Psalm 42. Then use this discouragement as part of the drive to study Torah. Learn a mitzvah, and prove them wrong by doing the mitzvah they say you can't do. There are just a few mitzvot you can't do until you are Jewish. But that's ok.

The more difficult your path to conversion is, the bigger your vessel will grow to contain the flow from Hashem, the more you will have worked on purifying your soul, and the brighter your light will shine when it's lit.

Embodied in what I just said is one of the secrets of the Menorah.

Maybe this helps, maybe it won't until a later time. But as you can see, Judaism is a very deep faith.

Shalom again,
Gershon

Answer 2

There are many different "levels" of Jewish observance but the two major ones as follows:

1. Judaism as applies to a Jew

2. Judaism as applies to a Non-Jew

You fit the second case... You do not need to "convert" to Judaism to observe Judaism but you definately need the guidance of a Rabbi (whether or not you are a Jew or a Gentile).

Judaism contains the 7 Noahide laws which apply to all people. These 7 laws are a whole world ready to be explored with the proper guidance of a good Rabbi. These 7 laws are the foundation for a Gentile to fully self actualize in the Jewish world.

First learn about the Noahide laws from a qualified Orthodox Rabbi. This will probably been more than enough for you. If after time you find this it is not for you... then... look into conversion.

You absolutely do not need to convert to Judaism if you are a Gentile. Judaism is not a religion which states you need to be Jewish to go to heaven and all others are damned... You can enjoy learning about Judaism and find a comfortable place with yourself and Judaism without having to convert.

I am not a Chabad/Lubavitcher guy but I highly recommend you start your exploration here: http://www.noahide.org/

I wish you an enjoyable journey exploring Judaism.

Answer 3

Some of the others have already given excellent advice. If you feel drawn to Judaism, read some of the books they recommended, and perhaps later, talk with a rabbi about the possibility of conversion.

In the meantime, there is nothing wrong with observing Jewish holidays and eating kosher foods. You may also be interested in learning some Hebrew and attending services. Although we do not go out looking for converts, we welcome those who are truly interested in learning about Judaism.

If you were to simply call yourself Jewish, without formal conversion, you would not be thrown in jail. However, members of the Jewish community might take offense. The situation would probably be similar if I were to suddenly call myself Catholic.

I noticed that somebody gave you a "Jews for Jesus" link. Perhaps this was done innocently, but do bear in mind that you cannot be Jewish and also worship in the name of Jesus. I'd urge you to steer clear of people who say you can have it both ways.

Answer 4

Religion isn't a club you join or a lifestyle you follow. It's supposed to represent your soul identity.

While you may follow Jewish traditions, you really need to reflect on who you really are. If you were born into a Roman Catholic family, you shouldn't rush to abandon your spiritual heritage.

After doing your research- both into the facts of each religion, and into your own heart (and maybe you already have)- then you can choose to make a meaningful spiritual change.

For such a change to be meaningful, you'll need to undergo a conversion process. That's not because you can't join our club until you fit the criteria, it's a spiritual journey you need to travel to be sure you've honestly arrived at the correct spiritual destination.

Answer 5

No, you can't, and I cannot stress this enough. There is a lot more to Judaism than just "observing the holidays" and "eating kosher." Much, much more. I encourage you to do some more research (www.jewfaq.org is great for that) and if you are interested in converting, talk to a rabbi. You can also ask this question as www.askmoses.com and expect a phenomenal answer.

Peace

Answer 6

Sure. You can say you're Chinese, French, or Spanish too, but unless you are accepted by them as a citizen of their country, you would be fooling yourself. Judaism is more than "warm fuzzies." Try reading about Judaism before thinking about conversion. There are people who feel like they're a Jew living in a Christian body. If you feel like you're a Jew, why not immerse yourself in the Jewish community. Conversion is something to embrace and savor. You'll be starting a life-long road of learning.

"Judaism for Everyone" by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism" by Rabbi Benjamin Blech
"This is My God" by Herman Wouk
.

Answer 7

There's a bit of a formal process to converting to Judaism. I suppose the first step would be to renounce Jesus as your savior (if you still consider him as such). Judaism doesn't hold that Jesus was the messiah. If so then I would go take yourself and talk to a Rabbi about the process of conversion.

Answer 8

Your birth mother needs to be jewish or you need to convert with the help of a rabbi.

Answer 9

I think it probably goes a bit deeper than holidays and food...

I do Christmas and eat Christmas goodies, but I don't consider myself a Christian...

Answer 10

I'm not a full Jew. I'm only Jew-ish