Question About converting
Question
Hello Rabbi. My name is Mani and I am Persian. I was born in 2003. My ancestors were gentile I believe. But I am interested in studying about Judaism. I am circumcised when I was an infant. I know that I should be accepted in Rabbinical court or Beit Din first but I do not think that I still have the enough knowledge and desire. I got some basic information about Judaism and I know that the basic books are Tannakh,Talmud and Halacha. So I want to know that based on my heritage or anything else, should I keep studying about Judaism or should I choose another religion to convert like Orthodox Christianity? Hope I meant no offence. Mani.
Answer
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!