How to Become an Orthodox Jew

During your journey to become an Orthodox Jew, you must embrace a new way of life and not just a new religion. Potential converts can expect to be taught how to live as a Jew by practicing their traditions and learning the history of the Jewish faith.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with the Thirteen Articles of Maimonides. These beliefs are at the core of Jewish faith. Acceptance of these articles is mandatory to becoming an Orthodox Jew. To read them go to the Jewish Virtual Library website.
   
   

2. Agree to study and obey the commandments of the Jewish faith. There are ten major commandments and 613 over all commandments for the Orthodox Jew to follow. The commandments are broken down into 248 positive and 365 negative commandments.
   

3. Participate in the brit milah, or rite of circumcision, which is one of oldest Jewish practices. During a circumcision, the foreskin is removed from the penis.

4. Get sins cleared away in a mikvah. At a mikvah you are immersed in water in order to wash away any spiritual imperfections.

5. Learn and use the rules of kashrut, laws for a Jewish diet, in order to prepare and consume food properly. Foods that are kosher are acceptable. Some kosher rules involve not eating pork or pork products, not cooking or heating foods on the Sabbath and not mixing meat and dairy products.
   

Resources

• Visit the Jewish virtual library for information.