How to Convert to Judaism
A tale appears in the Talmud (Shabbat 31a). A Gentile came to the sage Shammai and demanded, “Teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot.” Shammai, offended, sent him away. Undeterred, the man went to Hillel and made the same request. Hillel lifted his foot, smiled, and said, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and study.”
Just as in the story above, conversion in Judaism is not an instantaneous event but requires a process. The requirements can differ among Jewish denominations, or better described as the diverse streams that make up the global Jewish community.”
In Orthodox Judaism, a convert must:
- Study with an Orthodox rabbi and become part of a Jewish community.
- Appear before a Beit Din (a court of three rabbis) to pledge to observe Jewish law.
- Immerse in a mikveh (ritual bath).
- Undergo circumcision (brit milah) if he is not already circumcised, or undergo a symbolic blood‑drawing (hatafat dam brit) if he is already circumcised.
The Conservative movement, known as Masorti Judaism, follows essentially the same three-step process—study, immersion, and acceptance before a Beit Din—before issuing a conversion certificate. However, Orthodox authorities generally do not accept Conservative conversions, as well as some Modern Orthodox conversions. This question of recognition has been a heavily contested issue for many decades. Nevertheless, this article does not aim to discuss that debate, but rather to explore the general concept of conversion.
Reform Judaism, on the other hand, generally adopts a more lenient approach. Many of its rabbinical courts require only immersion in a mikveh and a pledge before a Beit Din. A convert who is already circumcised is not required to undergo hatafat dam brit. As a result, Reform conversions are not accepted by most Conservative and Orthodox authorities.
The practical implication is that a conversion may not be universally recognized if it does not meet the standards of a particular Jewish community. According to the Talmud (Yevamot 47a‑b), “Rabbi Yehudah says a convert must perform three things: circumcision, immersion (mikveh), and acceptance of the commandments.
Steps for conversion, based on this ruling:
- Locate a rabbi who will guide you through the entire process.
- Join a Jewish community around you.
- Start studying, knowing you are willingly accepting the Torah’s yoke.
- Appear before a Beit Din to pledge to keep Jewish law, immerse in a mikveh to cleanse you from the impurity of the gav (non‑Jewish status) and to mark your transition into the Jewish community, and, for male converts, undergo circumcision or hatafat dam brit if already circumcised
The mikveh, or ritual bath, has a lot of symbolic importance that goes beyond just cleansing and purification. It stands for a new beginning, a transition from the gentile world into the Jewish community. The water must come from a natural source and meet certain halachic standards. The immersion is done with the goal of becoming a member of the Jewish people.
Three knowledgeable rabbis make up the beit din, which is very important for making sure that the convert is sincere. Their inquiries aren’t just formalities; they want to make sure that the candidate understands what it means to observe Shabbat, kashrut, and the holidays, and that they are doing it because they truly believe in it, not just because it’s easy.
The Chief Rabbinate maintains a central registry of conversions performed either in Israel or by a recognized Beit Din outside the Land. This status can influence a person’s eligibility for citizenship under the Law of Return. The bureaucratic layer makes the process even more complex—especially for individuals whose conversions may be accepted by certain Jewish denominations but not by the State of Israel. Added to this is the perception that conversions conducted in Israel hold greater authenticity than identical processes performed abroad. This hierarchy of recognition only emerged recently after years of legal disputes and negotiated agreements.
Recent interdenominational dialogues have led to occasional cooperation, such as joint study groups and shared community service projects, which can help bridge the gaps created by differing conversion standards. While theological differences remain, many Jews across the spectrum emphasize the shared heritage and common goals of tikkun olam, repairing the world.
The truth is that the journey of conversion is both a personal and communal commitment, centered on learning, holding onto the Jewish laws, and uniting in love. Whether you approach it through the strict pathways of Orthodox practice that requires a considerable duration of time or the lenient paths of Reform Judaism, the core principle remains the same: a sincere desire to join the Jewish people and live according to the Torah’s principles.
As you venture into the path of conversion, seek guidance from a compassionate and knowledgeable rabbi. You should ask and understand clearly questions such as “What is Judaism?” and “What does kosher mean?” Be sincere and serious in your study, and allow the rich traditions of Judaism to shape your path. May you attain peace and ease as you go on this journey.
Shalom.
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