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What should I know about Judaism before I start that I'm not going to learn in a documentary or educational program?
Do you have any suggestions of videos or books I should look at to start with?
Juliet Bravo posted a great list of books; any rabbi you talk to will recommend LOTS more!
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Any advice at all?
Yes! 1.) Buy a bookcase to hold all your new books, and 2.) Don't be surprised if the rabbi(s) you approach are not wild about your interest in converting at first. Most reform rabbis don't make you do the dance since the conversion process itself is so lengthy and arduous that if you're not totally serious about it, you'll probably drop out anyway. Conservative rabbis may refuse to work with you at first, but it's a test. Ask again and again. They almost always relent. Orthodox rabbis will be much more difficult to persuade.
Judaism does not seek converts and we do not believe that someone must be Jewish in order to be good with g-d. Some reform congregations are embracing conversion outreach programs though. There's at least one synagogue in Dallas that is not actively seeking converts, but is extremely helpful if you approach them.
Conservative rabbis may refuse to work with you at first, but it's a test. Ask again and again.
My impression is that most C rabbis will not refuse to work with a would be convert, but will consider a warning about the problems of antisemitism, the difficulties encountered by Jews by Choice, and the nature of halachic obligation, to be sufficient to meet their own halachic obligation to turn away converts.
That obligation probably has less historically to do with selecting for "people who truly have a Jewish neshama" than with avoiding infiltration by informants during Roman times. Note how in the amidah prayer we pray for righteous converts in close proximity to our prayer to ward off the designs of informants.
My impression is that most C rabbis will not refuse to work with a would be convert, but will consider a warning about the problems of antisemitism, the difficulties encountered by Jews by Choice, and the nature of halachic obligation, to be sufficient to meet their own halachic obligation to turn away converts.
I converted under a conservative rabbi, and he never formally turned me away. But did make a habit of ignoring my calls and he canceled our first three appointments.
He always seemed surprised when I called to rescheduled.
Even after I started workig with him, he would constantly ask if I was sure I really wanted to convert and we often discussed the potential hardships of being Jewish in a largely Christian society.
I converted under a conservative rabbi, and he never formally turned me away. But did make a habit of ignoring my calls and he canceled our first three appointments.
That could have been in fulfillment of his obligations to "turn away".
Or he could just have been completely disorganized. It happens.
Excuse me to intrude. I think this topic is interesting and I have a question. Why does Judaism not believe into converting people?
Please explain it in simple words so a noob like me can understand. What is it about the "Jewish law" that would scare converts away?
Excuse me to intrude. I think this topic is interesting and I have a question. Why does Judaism not believe into converting people?
Please explain it in simple words so a noob like me can understand. What is it about the "Jewish law" that would scare converts away?
Actually, Judaism has always accepted converts and there are specific steps to complete the process. The difference between Judaism and proselytizing religions (such as Christianity) is that there isn't a requirement to be Jewish. We believe that Judaism is for Jews, and other groups have their own way of working towards God. Someone who chooses to convert to Judaism does so because we feel a connection with the Jewish people and the rituals and beliefs of their religion.
As for Jewish law, it is all encompassing. It dictates how and what we can eat, how we form relationships and treat others, how we act in public and private. A non-Jew who eats a cheeseburger or doesn't say a blessing before eating bread hasn't done anything wrong. But the Jew who does the same thing has.
And the convert accepts the responsibility of following the law and teaching it to their children. It becomes the foindation for how we live and how we interact with the world.
Actually, Judaism has always accepted converts and there are specific steps to complete the process. The difference between Judaism and proselytizing religions (such as Christianity) is that there isn't a requirement to be Jewish. We believe that Judaism is for Jews, and other groups have their own way of working towards God. Someone who chooses to convert to Judaism does so because we feel a connection with the Jewish people and the rituals and beliefs of their religion.
As for Jewish law, it is all encompassing. It dictates how and what we can eat, how we form relationships and treat others, how we act in public and private. A non-Jew who eats a cheeseburger or doesn't say a blessing before eating bread hasn't done anything wrong. But the Jew who does the same thing has.
And the convert accepts the responsibility of following the law and teaching it to their children. It becomes the foindation for how we live and how we interact with the world.
Thank you for the explanation. It does not sound too bad to me. As a good Christian you should also follow certain rule. Most people today don't but that is their fault.
Same with some Jewish people I am sure. I had a Jewish coworker. He never said blessings and jumped from relationship to relationship. He also was not trustworthy. A bad example. I wish all people would live by the law of their religion.
I respect Jewish people lots and would love to visit a Synagogue.
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