Can you convert to Judaism?

Not missionary, but open

Judaism does not teach that one must be Jewish to be close to God, so it does not try to convert others. The Talmud even prescribes telling a candidate about the difficulties – the persecution of the Jewish people and the many commandments – to make sure the decision is serious. If the candidate persists, he or she is accepted.

The steps

Jewish law requires a court of three. The candidate learns the commandments and accepts them; a man is circumcised (or, if already circumcised, a symbolic drop of blood is drawn); and every convert immerses in a mikveh before the court. Today the process usually includes a year or more of study, living within a community and keeping Shabbat and kosher food.

A full Jew

The convert is “like a newborn child”, a full member of the Jewish people. The Torah repeats the command to love the stranger and the convert many times – “You shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:19). It is forbidden to remind a convert of his or her past to cause hurt. Converts take a Hebrew name and are called “son/daughter of Abraham and Sarah”.

Different movements

Orthodox, Conservative and Reform conversions differ in their requirements, and not all are recognised by all communities or by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. Anyone considering conversion should speak with a rabbi of the community he or she wishes to join.