How to Convert

Good afternoon Rabbi , first able I want to thank you about this amazing service , and I have some a question I hope you answer it. If someone wants to convert to Judaism , what should he do ? Should he talk to Rabbi ? or He should only read The Torah and The Talmud ?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

One who wishes to convert must first seek out his or her local orthodox rabbi and arrange for a meeting. If the conversion candidate is approved, the rabbi will guide the potential convert through years of rigorous study. After such study, along with a proven knowledge of the mitzvot and a commitment to observe them, the actual formal conversion process will be carried out.

The actual conversion process is performed in the presence of a “Beit Din” a Jewish court made up of three rabbis who specialize in this area of Jewish law.

The components of the conversion ceremony are:

1. To publically declare allegiance to the Torah and to commit to observe all the mitzvot

2. Bris Mila, (circumcision) for men. If a man is already circumcised, a small drop of blood is drawn from that area in what can be called a “symbolic circumcision.” This latter procedure is also knows as a “hatafat dam bris.”

3. Immersion in a mikva, a Jewish ritual bath.

Once this is all completed the convert will receive a certificate from the Beit Din testifying that the bearer of the certificate is Jewish.

A convert is essentially treated no different than any other Jew and may join any congregation and participate in services like everyone else.

Good luck to you on your journey!