Do i have to convert with a Jewish orthodox rabbi, and convert with the orthodox ways to be considered Jewish, and would it be okay for me to be converted under orthodox Jewish ways, but be a reform Jew?
2007-12-20 13:04:51 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
*I do want to be Jewish*
2007-12-20 13:14:07 · update #1
No you can't convert Orthodox and then behave as a Reform.
When you convert Orthodox you must vow that your intent is to keep all the mitzvot. If this is not your intent, but you vowed that it is, then your conversion could even be invalidated because your intent and vow wasn't sincere.
If you don't want to live as an Orthodox Jew, then don't convert Orthodox.
If you convert Reform, the Reform will consider you a Jew.
The Conservatives might or might not consider you a Jew.
The Orthodox will not consider you a Jew.
So if you intend to stay in a Reform community, and not try to go live in Israel under the Right of Return, then you could convert Reform.
If you are looking for something in between Reform and Orthodox, you could look into a Conservative conversion.
You don't need to convert at all, actually. Judaism believes that the Righteous of all nations and peoples merit their place in the World To Come through following the paths of the Noahide (Righteous Gentile). Noahides are extremely important - it is they who will help the Jews build the 3rd Temple, and it is they who will worship the God of Israel side by side with the Jews. See http://www.noahide.org
EDIT: Mark, has the law changed then? It was made lawful for Conservative converts to immigrate to Israel under the Right of Return but not Reform. And the Rabbis were even fighting that. Did the Reform finally get their desire to be able to immigrate under Right of Return as well? When did this happen? Thanks
2007-12-20 13:19:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
An Orthodox Rabbi will NOT convert you unless you are going to live as an Orthodox Jew. If you lie, convert Orthodox and then immediately become Reform, the conversion can be annulled since it is obvious you undertook it under false pretences (and yes- I know of at least one case where that was done). If you convert via Orthodox, you are expected to be an Orthodox Jew. Being an Orthodox Jew is not a title of convenience, but something that has to be lived and adhered to.
2007-12-21 03:14:06 · answer #2 · answered by allonyoav 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just one minor correction to Julia D's answer: Reform Jews-by-choice most certainly *can* emigrate to Israel under the Right of Return, However, I don't think that they can be married there by an Orthodox rabbi (and I also recall that only Orthodox marriages are considered as valid in Israel, but I could be mistaken).
2007-12-21 00:02:15 · answer #3 · answered by Mark S, JPAA 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) You don't have to convert at all if you don't want to. Judaism teaches that all are deserving of the World to Come, not just Jews
2) If you wanted to be accepted as Jewish by ALL movements, then yes, you will need to convert Orthodox--but it is unfair to convert Orthodox with the sole purpose of being Reform. It would be lying to the rabbi and false representation and lots of other offensive things.
3) Why don't you just convert to Reform? If that's where you want to be, why do other movements' opinions matter?
Peace
2007-12-20 21:10:44 · answer #4 · answered by LadySuri 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
If you do convert under orthodox Judaism, you have to live as an Orthodox Jew.
If you are not interested in doing so, then you might as well convert under Reform or Conservative auspices, as they are very lenient and will not require much of you (since the two are diluted forms of Judaism).
But then you have to ask yourself WHY EXACTLY you want to be Jewish....
EDIT:
Great answer, Julia D!!!!!
It is all up to you...
2007-12-20 21:28:33 · answer #5 · answered by kismet 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you do not subscribe to the beliefs of Orthodox Judaism why would you try to convert though an Orthodox process?
Why not just convert though Reform?
edit
I have to agree with LadySuri and I am saying this also as a "Orthodox Jew" even though I dislike the title.
2007-12-20 21:11:57 · answer #6 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You're going at this backwards. Become involved with a Jewish community before you decide whether or not to convert, and which branch of Judaism fits best. Do you really care who considers you to be a Jew as long as YOU think of yourself as a Jew. Believe me, your Christian friends won't believe you are a Jew. They're convinced you have to be born a Jew!
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2007-12-20 22:42:43 · answer #7 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
tricky point. browse over search engines like google. just that may help!
2014-12-01 06:23:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to convert at all if you don't want to.
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Sweetie
2007-12-20 21:08:06 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Šωèé†íé♥ 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋