How to Become Jewish
Judaism, one of the world's oldest religions, is practiced by an estimated 13 million people globally, with 80 percent of them living in Israel and the United States. The only way to become Jewish if you aren't born to a Jewish mother is to convert to Judaism. Conversion to Judaism is a complicated and lengthy process that will usually last at least a year or longer. If you're considering converting, you must have the will and patience to see the process through to the end or you won't be successful.
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Instructions
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Think about your reasons for converting and if they seem trivial--like wanting to be 'different' or boredom or wanting to impress someone you have a crush on--then converting to Judaism is probably not a process that you'll want to undertake. Your motives will need to be more pure. If you strongly and sincerely identify with the spiritual and cultural aspects of Judaism, for example, or are engaged to or married to a Jew, then you're ready to convert.
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Decide which type of Judaism you'll want to convert to. There are four branches of Judaism (Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Orthodox) to be considered. Research each of the four types and, if possible, speak with people who practice each of the different philosophies in order to formulate an educated, well-rounded opinion of which you'll want to belong (see Resources).
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Find a rabbi who can mentor you. You'll need someone to help guide you through your spiritual journey and to give you advice and encouragement along the way, and a rabbi can do just that. A rabbi is a man or woman trained in Jewish law, ritual and tradition and is ordained for leadership of a Jewish congregation, particularly as a chief religious official with a synagogue (church).
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Learn Jewish history, culture and tradition through classes. This is the most challenging and time-consuming part of the process. The rabbi mentoring you will require at least several months of classes and possibly up to a few years, depending on the branch philosophy you'll be joining. Among the things you'll learn about during this time period are the Jewish calendar, Jewish philosophy and theology, holy books and Jewish Law and customs. You'll also need to learn to read and speak some the Jewish language Hebrew.
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Go before the beth din. The beth din (also spelled beit din) is a religious court that rules upon a conversion. The beth din is a court of three Jews, at least one of whom is a rabbi. It's the beth din's responsibility to determine whether or not the applicant is worthy or ready to convert to Judaism.
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Undergo mikevah, mileh and mitzvot. Under the Code of Jewish Law (the "Shulchan Aruch") these three processes are required for a conversion to Judaism to be valid. The mikveh is a ritual bath in a body of water, usually in a pool that's specifically for of ritual purification. With the milah, male converts must undergo circumcision, or if he's already circumcised, he undergoes a symbolic ritual where just a drop of blood is taken. With the mitzvot, the convert must agree to observe all 613 commandments in the holy book the Torah.
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Tips & Warnings
The taking of a Hebrew name after conversion is a choice that some converts make, but isn't always a requirement for all four branches of Judaism.
Although all the steps are encouraged, not all are strictly required by some of the four branches of Judaism.
Resources
- Photo Credit synagogue image by Stanisa Martinovic from Fotolia.com
