Can a person convert to judaism?

Answer 1

Answer 1

Yes, you can convert to Judaism.

Answer 2

While Judaism doesn't actively seek converts, those non-Jews who themselves decide to become Jewish may do so. Traditional conversion includes learning about Judaism and its laws, showing a sincere desire to convert and to live as an observant Jew, immersion in a ritual bath, and circumcision (for uncircumcised males).

Conversion is a permanent undertaking, a lifelong decision, which must not be done on a whim or impulse.

Answer 2

That's mostly common for marriage and people who believe they were "born in the wrong faith" and believe they were meant to be Jewish.

Judaism does not seek converts, but it does accept them.Conversion is a life-changing and very serious undertaking and a potential convert should think it over carefully.

Answer 3

Firstly, the entire conversion process is contingent on which sect you wish to join. A potential convert would need to contact a synagogue and speak with the Rabbi of the relevant sect.

As for general information: Typically, conversion requires a period of study and several other rituals.

In Conservative and Orthodox Judaism, but not Reform Judaism, a convert has to go through some extensive studying period which can take a long time (usually 1-5 years), and then go to the Mikvah (the ritual bath: you strip fully, submerge completely in water, and say a blessing), and if the convert is a man, he has to be circumcised. After that point, the convert is part of the Jewish community.

Orthodox conversion requires that the convert intends to fulfill the laws of Judaism.

If one converts according to one of the relatively stricter groups, it will be accepted by the more lenient ones. But if one has a Reform conversion, it won't be recognized by Orthodox groups.

Answer 4

Many people believe that one must be born to a Jewish mother if one is to be Jewish, but this is not the case - Judaism has always been open to sincere converts, and it is a miztvah (a religious obligation) for Jews to accept converts (a male convert is known as a ger, a female as a giyoret). We are also commanded not to treat converts any differently to those born Jewish, though sadly some people do.

If you are considering conversion, the first step will be to find a rabbi. If you happen to live somewhere with a large Jewish population, you'll probably have many to choose from and will have to decide which form of Judaism - Orthodox, Reform, Masorti, Modern Orthodox, Liberal and so on - is the one for you. It's worth knowing that to be accepted as Jewish by all Jewish people, you will need to undergo an Orthodox conversion because the Orthodox - be they Charedim, Chassid or other - will not accept any other conversion as halachically ("in adherence with Jewish law") correct. There is a tradition that potential converts be turned away three times before a rabbi accepts them, so persevere if this happens to you.

Once you have found a rabbi and convinced him or her (assuming you're not going for an orthodox conversion - all Orthodox rabbis are male) that you are sincere, he or she may still try to put you off by describing the terrible things that have happened to the Jewish people throughout history and the prejudice that still exists today. However, if you are truly sincere this will not put you off. You will then embark on a long period of study which may last for many years - there is no set course, and the rabbi will decide when you are ready. During this time, you will be expected to attend services at your synagogue, adopt a kosher diet and live according to Jewish law (even Reform and Liberal Judaism, which in their early days rejected these traditions/laws, tend to insist upon them nowadays). If you are male, you will at some point need to be circumcised (if you are already circumcised, a small cut will be made instead so that a symbolic drop of blood is shed) - some Liberal rabbis, if a convert simply cannot face the concept of circumcision, will overlook this requirement; but I'm told by people who have been circumcised as adults that the procedure is far less painful than they expected and the pain lasts less time than they thought it would). Another point worth knowing is that conversion is a simpler process if undergone in Israel.

This is a very brief overview of an extremely complex process - for more information, you need to consult an expert. You'll find any rabbi to be just such an expert in this and all other matters related to Judaism.

Answer 5

You should read up on line or through there sources to see if you are interested in Judaism. You should also talk with your Jewish friends to get their "insiders" view of being Jewish. If your interests hold then arrange a meeting with a local rabbi. to discuss your options and potentially set you up for classes.

Answer 6

Judaism does not proselytize or seek converts, but it does accept sincere converts.

Conversion is a life-changing and very serious undertaking and a potential convert should think it over carefully. It must not be done on a whim or because of temporary circumstances. One who converts is expected (from then on) to live as a Jew.
The first step would be, without outside help or influence, to get to know about Judaism. The person who felt interested should hang around a Jewish community in order to get a sense of whether Jews and Judaism as it is actually lived appeal to him/her. Also to do some reading. English-language books on Jewish thought and life can be found in Hebrew bookstores.
After that, the interested person would approach a Rabbi and ask about enrolling in a relevant formal course of study. This can last for several years and is an integral part of the process, since he/she will have to actually practice the religion.
Once that is completed, the convert immerses in a mikveh (ritual immersion); and, for uncircumcised males, undergoes circumcision.

Answer 7

Contact a synagogue and speak with the Rabbi. It requires a period of study and several other rituals.