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 Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 2:12 pm
I want to convert to Judaism, but have no idea where to start. I want to talk to a rabbi, but know of none nearby. What do you do to become Jewish?
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:15 pm
Ahh... the conversion process. It's important to realize that many rabbis want to know your intentions of why you want to convert. Alterior motives such as "this guy I want to marry is Jewish," or "It's something I want to try to see if I like it." don't work. You need to show yourself as someone who really seriously wants to uphold traditions so you can eventually teach them to the next generation. That is the first step, to acquire the mental discipline to know that you are ready for the journey ahead and know you will face doubters and those who may think of you not being "Jewish enough," because you weren't born into it. We have several guild members on different places in the conversion process. We here will help answer any questions through a variety of sectarian answers and show you the different ways you can be Jewish. So first, a link. http://www.convert.org/ It's the Conversion to Judaism Resource Center's homepage. It has more information on this than I ever will. So, may I be so bold as to ask why you want to be Jewish? And, on a completly unrelated note, what's with the communist thing in your sig line?
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:30 pm
I have always seem Judaism as one of the more tolerant religions out there (I have never seen a Jew yelling "God hates fags"). Also, I believe in God, but am not convinced of Jesus. Furthermore, I respect a lot of the beliefs in the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament, right?)
As for my siggy, I am HIGHLY enthusiastic about the ideals in the Communist Manifesto. I am a proud Communist as a result. A lot of people think that means I like the USSR and China (Even though those nations called themselves Communist, I can rant for hours about why they are in reality not Communists, and back my ranting up with solid proof.). Basically, I'm making fun of people who fear Commies.
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:37 pm
http://www.convert.org is a great resource. It's hosted by a Conservative rabbi, I believe, but has some good information about other branches of Judaism as well. I think the best place to start, though, is to find a local rabbi. Do a net search for synagogues in your area, and call around to ask. Google, or search in http://www.yellowpages.com for synagogues. Most synagogues teach classes such as Introduction to Judaism, and that's really one of the most helpful and important classes to take. In fact, most rabbis will ask a small handful of questions if you do approach them: why; why not stick with being an observant Noachide (non-Jew, following the Jewish laws that pertain to non-Jews); and have you taken an Introduction to Judaism class? Make it clear that you don't know whether you want to be Reform, Conservative or Orthodox, because you're not sure what the differences are, but that you just want to learn for now. Going in and saying "I want to convert" can sometimes seem too forward to some rabbis, but saying "I'm a non-Jew, but I would like to learn about Judaism" generally impresses them.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:44 pm
Callamandes I have always seem Judaism as one of the more tolerant religions out there (I have never seen a Jew yelling "God hates fags"). Also, I believe in God, but am not convinced of Jesus. Furthermore, I respect a lot of the beliefs in the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament, right?) Well every religion has it's own fluff bunny group that tend to stir the pot on social issues and use old religious dogma to explain why they had to hit someone who didn't agree with them with a lead pipe. Is it the Satyr sect of the Chassidic that throw rocks at cars for driving on the sabbath? Anyrate we're glad you're interested in the laws of the Torah, which are the first 5 books of the 'old testament' but there's so much more. There is the rest of the old testament... the Talmud.. the Mishnah... the Zohar. Just to name a few. As for the communist thing...  We will argue about this later, in the schoomze
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:50 pm
See? False comrades like the USSR and China give ACTUAL Communists a bad reputation. We are about freedom and equality, not shooting dissidents and suppressing free speach, plus all the other stuff Stalin did.
Anyway, thanks for the advice.
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:58 pm
You should remember that Jews are primarily a people/nation not a belief system. If you want to convert do it because you want to be part of the Jewish people and a participant in Jewish civilisation, not because you think the God of the Torah is the true one - you don't have to convert to do that.
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Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:57 pm
In all seriousness it doesn't matter to us that you're a communist who wants to covert, regardless of your political philosophy and ideology, we would like to help you and teach you with what we know so you can better understand and appreciate the culture as a whole.
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darkphoenix1247 Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:18 am
DanskiWolf You should remember that Jews are primarily a people/nation not a belief system. If you want to convert do it because you want to be part of the Jewish people and a participant in Jewish civilisation, not because you think the God of the Torah is the true one - you don't have to convert to do that. I personally disagree and think it's more belief than saying "I'm a Jew," but that's just my opinion- not something with informed research.
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Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:04 pm
LordNeuf In all seriousness it doesn't matter to us that you're a communist who wants to covert, regardless of your political philosophy and ideology, we would like to help you and teach you with what we know so you can better understand and appreciate the culture as a whole. Thanks for that.
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Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:53 pm
darkphoenix1247 DanskiWolf You should remember that Jews are primarily a people/nation not a belief system. If you want to convert do it because you want to be part of the Jewish people and a participant in Jewish civilisation, not because you think the God of the Torah is the true one - you don't have to convert to do that. I personally disagree and think it's more belief than saying "I'm a Jew," but that's just my opinion- not something with informed research. There's more to it than believing in God. There's Jewish culture, art, music, literature etc. The idea that Jews are simply a religous group came about from 19th century German Reformism when they wanted to assimilate. The Jewish people have always been just that - a people. As Divash said, you can be a Noahide and believe in the God of the Torah. But to convert to Judaism is much more than that. You join the Jewish people and become part of their past, present and future.
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Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:57 pm
DanskiWolf darkphoenix1247 DanskiWolf You should remember that Jews are primarily a people/nation not a belief system. If you want to convert do it because you want to be part of the Jewish people and a participant in Jewish civilisation, not because you think the God of the Torah is the true one - you don't have to convert to do that. I personally disagree and think it's more belief than saying "I'm a Jew," but that's just my opinion- not something with informed research. There's more to it than believing in God. There's Jewish culture, art, music, literature etc. The idea that Jews are simply a religous group came about from 19th century German Reformism when they wanted to assimilate. The Jewish people have always been just that - a people. As Divash said, you can be a Noahide and believe in the God of the Torah. But to convert to Judaism is much more than that. You join the Jewish people and become part of their past, present and future. I would like to do so. Being a white mutt I have no culture as of yet.
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Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:57 am
Callamandes Being a white mutt I have no culture as of yet. Sure you do, you just haven't identified yourself. Self identity is more important than social identity.
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Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:37 pm
LordNeuf Callamandes Being a white mutt I have no culture as of yet. Sure you do, you just haven't identified yourself. Self identity is more important than social identity. I'm Dutch, German, French, and Irish. I identify with none. At least if I'm Jewish I have a culture I can identify with and be a part of.
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Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:49 pm
Callamandes At least if I'm Jewish I have a culture I can identify with and be a part of. Yes but the question is... which culture of Judaism and why? Askenazi? Sephardi? That Ethiopian sect? or the ones that only Divash knows about. Judaism has several facets and several different interpretations, which reflect upon the people of certain geographical areas that builds the culture. Also what makes you think you would identify with Jewish Culture more so than the Irish or German cultures?
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