Conversion to Judaism. This entails acceptance of the mitzvos, tevila (immersion), and for men, bris milah (circumcision).
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132 views
Does someone maternally Jewish, but without documented proof, need “giyur l'chumra”?
If a person is Jewish by maternal decent, but can't prove it conclusively through documents. Do they need to convert? Do they need normal conversion or giyur l'chumra? What are the steps involved?
I ...
5
votes
2answers
190 views
Can a convert become a synagogue president? Why or why not?
I understand that the National Council of Young Israel has a rule that women and converts may not be elected president of a Young Israel synagogue. I think I saw a gemara -- or a comment to a gemara ...
5
votes
2answers
121 views
Can the daughter of two people who could not marry a Cohen marry a cohen?
Can a woman whose father's father isn't Jewish, but whose father's mother is a regular Jew, and whose mother is the child of two converts marry a Cohen?
On the one hand she isn't purely from ...
4
votes
3answers
345 views
Do Rabbis have to be Jewish by ethnicity?
I am under the impression that a person can be received into Judaism from a gentile nation. My question is whether or not that person could conceivably then become a Rabbi?
Please indicate whether ...
4
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2answers
130 views
Why does the Torah list animals before converts?
אַתָּה וּבִנְךָ וּבִתֶּךָ עַבְדְּךָ וַאֲמָתְךָ וּבְהֶמְתֶּךָ וְגֵרְךָ אֲשֶׁר בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ
Why would the Torah List animal before the Geirim?
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2answers
138 views
Why isn't modern conversion invalid?
I have heard that Rashi said that there are three requirements for conversion: brit milah; mikveh; korban in Beit Hamikdash. If this is true, why is it that this is not rendering modern conversions ...
4
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1answer
77 views
Why not do as Avraham and Sara did w.r.t. conversion
Rashi to B'reshis 12:5 quotes Rav Huna: "... whom they brought [to Judaism]. Avraham was converting the men and Sara the women...".
My understanding is that nowadays female prospective converts study ...
4
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1answer
113 views
Convert that had children prior to conversion
If a fellow converted (his children remained gentiles) and prior to his conversion he had children - has he fulfilled the Mitzva of Peru U'Revu? (sources)
4
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2answers
185 views
If a woman converts, marries, and divorces — how is she identified in her next ketubah?
If a woman converts, marries, and divorces -- how is she identified in her next ketubah? Matrachta (divorcee) or Giyorta (convert-ess)? Does it matter? Is there a convention which term is used for ...
4
votes
1answer
81 views
Would a convert/Ba'al Teshuvah have to remove any tattoos they may have?
A Jew is prohibited from tattooing himself. If a person with tattoos were to convert to Judaism, would they be required to have the tattoos removed?
Would a Jew who got a tattoo and later repented be ...
4
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1answer
67 views
Does the status “mal v'lo taval” apply to women?
In a number of circumstances, the halachic status of מל ולא טבל ("circumcized but not immersed in a mikveh") takes on significance.
For instance, regarding a nochri touching wine, the Shulchan Aruch ...
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0answers
198 views
How is giyur le’chumra different from a standard conversion in practice?
I am interested to know how giyur le’chumra is different from a standard conversion in practice? Does anyone have any personal experiences?
My understanding of the meaning of giyur le’chumra (from ...
3
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2answers
132 views
Motivation for disallowing Conversions
What was The Syrians communities Rabbis motivation For disallowing conversions and when did it happen and did any other Sephardi communities join in this decision later on?
3
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2answers
104 views
“But Rahab the harlot … dwelt in the midst of Israel, unto this day”
This is from Yehoshua' 6:25.
Assuming she was a harlot and not, as some suggest, an innkeeper, what exactly does this mean? Did she convert? Did her conversion remove the stain of being a harlot from ...
3
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1answer
226 views
How long is Orthodox Conversion?
How long is the conversion process into Traditional Orthodox and Modern Orthodox? What is the minimum time period in most cases? I know converts can spend years preparing until they actually finalise ...
3
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2answers
709 views
Can a gentile go to Synagogue on Shabbat and what is forbidden on Shabbat for a gentile?
Is a gentile allowed to participate in Shabbat prayers in a Synagogue (of course he/she will not count for a minyan) if they do so in order to gain knowledge of Jewish customs for the purpose of ...
3
votes
3answers
127 views
Conventions for derivation of Hebrew names
How is a Hebrew name chosen for a person whose legal name is English (or other vernacular)? Is the name chosen based on phonetic resemblance to one's English name, a resemblance in meaning, or mere ...
3
votes
1answer
86 views
Converting a baby - When to do Circumcision
I know that one can convert an infant (and if he doesn't recant when he becomes of age, the conversion is retractively chal) but what about milah? For a Jewish child, milah before the 8th day isn't a ...
3
votes
1answer
116 views
Converts, kibbud av v'eim, and non-Jewish holidays
A convert is required to honor his parents. This does not apply when fulfilling their requests violates halacha. I suspect that many parents of converts, who are not knowledgable in halacha and ...
3
votes
0answers
129 views
Children of Converts and Specific halachos
The Pri Megadim in OC Siman 156 Ashel Avraham Sif-Katan 2 writes that a child that was conceived in kedusha (sanctity) and born in kedusha to a mother and father that had both converted (i.e. these 2 ...
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3answers
119 views
How many times does a Ger immerse?
How many times does a ger tovel (immerse) when converting? I know that a ger immerses first then makes the bracha (can't make the bracha yet until the person becomes a Jew). Does the ger then immerse ...
2
votes
2answers
112 views
Which city in English-speaking Canada has classes for Judaism converts?
Shalom!
Which city in Canada has classes for Judaism converts who wish to learn more about the religion and the way of life? I have found a little information about the Jewish Outreach Institute and ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
Can the descendants of a mamzer ever become full Jews?
Is there any way for the descendants of a mamzer to ever become Jews with full rights, or are they stuck with mamzerus forever? For example, if a man who is a mamzer marries a non-Jew, and then their ...
2
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1answer
118 views
Is it true that proselytes immersed in their birthday suits in ancient times?
I was told that Jewish proselytes immersed in their birthday suits in ancient times. Is this true? If so, could you please provide sources stating this fact?
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3answers
351 views
Recognition of Chabad conversions
I have read and heard in certain places that among certain Orthodox groups, if one converts with Chabad-Lubavitch that their conversion will not be valid, if someone were to convert with Chabad and ...
2
votes
1answer
202 views
Can a convert (ger tzedek) serve on a beis din to annul a non-convert's vows?
If I understand correctly, there are certain cases where a convert can't serve on a beis din judging a native-born Jew. Yet when we break into groups of three for hataras nedarim (annulment of vows), ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
Does a ger say yizkor?
A convert's biological parents are not their parents in a halachic sense. In some senses the converting beis din is "responsible" for the convert in the way of parents. In name, at least, the ger's ...
2
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1answer
86 views
What is a ger toshav?
I read in the Book of Isaiah (Is. 56:1-8), about the foreigner joining Hashem. I asked my Rabbi briefly about this passage. He explained that the passage is probably neither about a gerut conversion ...
2
votes
1answer
125 views
Praying for a Sick Convert
If when we pray for a person we pray for Ploni ben Plonis (e.g. Judah son of Leah or Dina daughter of Leah), what name do we use when praying for a ger (convert)?
2
votes
1answer
106 views
Conversion and starting a family
I wonder if there are any 'best practise' rules when a man would like to start a family and grow up children according to the Jewish tradition and the Torah, if such a person should rather convert or ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
When did Rus bring a korban?
(Inspired by this answer.)
The gemarah in krisus [8b-9a] discusses the requirement for a convert to bring a korban (sacrifice) to enter into the community. If this is the case, how could Rus have ...
2
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1answer
118 views
If someone had a family tradition that he came from an Edomite, would he be allowed to marry a Jew?
An Edomite cannot marry a Jew for three generations.
Nowadays (since the time of Sancheiriv, who mixed all nations together), this law no longer applies as we no longer know who is an Edomite. ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
Do people who are Jewish by ancestry but are descendents of apostates need to convert?
Suppose a Jewish woman converts to Christianity. Her children find out about their Jewish ancestry and decide that Judaism is right for them. Do they have to go through a conversion process? Does it ...
2
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0answers
46 views
Is a convert free to choose his own minhagim?
Back when Jews lived in the same communities for generations, they were obligated to follow the minhagim (customs) of their community. The classic example is that East European Jews held that one ...
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0answers
72 views
Are there any statistics regarding how many people convert yearly?
Are there any statistics for the last 50-100 years as to how many people convert and become Geirim yearly?
2
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2answers
129 views
Go out to receive the Torah then come back to convert Egypt
I just heard from my uncle a novel idea about the Exodus. Apparently, the original intention was for the Jews to go out of Egypt to receive the Torah, and then come back to convert the Egyptians.
...
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vote
2answers
186 views
What happens if someone converts to Judaism and then reverts?
For example if someone in Islam today converted, and tomorrow they return back to any other religion, then:
Crime has been committed.
And must be condemned
His Actions will be punished
Is ...
1
vote
2answers
108 views
If a gentile commited murder and then converted, can he be executed?
Assuming these are witnesses who warned him of the penalty immediately before he acted, as specified in Sanhedrin, if a gentile committed murder (or any other violation of the Noachide Law) and then ...
1
vote
2answers
138 views
May converts migrate to Israel?
I was wondering if a convert (someone who was not born a Jew) may, by the rules of the state of Israel, migrate to Israel (make aliyah, as defined by the State of Israel)?
1
vote
1answer
221 views
Have recently-published allegations that Shlomo Carlebach was a sexual predator led to any bans of his music or conversions?
Even before his death, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach was, at best, controversial. Many people loved his music and some congregatins organized "Carlebach minyans" that emphasized spirituality through music, ...
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3answers
215 views
Were there any other religions before Judaism that their followers should convert to Judaism?
You could imagine that with the advent of a new religion, any followers of the last religion would be required to convert to the new religion.
Which followers of which religion converted to Judaism, ...
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4answers
140 views
Are those who reject idolatry Yahudim (Jews)?
I found the following quote referencing Gemara from a book on converts in Judaism:
The Gemara (Megillah 13•) states that we find the appellation “Yehudi”
in Nach only three times: once for ...
0
votes
1answer
128 views
Post-conversion ketubah
She's Jewish. He wasn't. 2+ decades later, he converted. (I don't know when he first intended to... these are the parents of co-workers of a friend of mine.)
Can they get a ketubah now? Should they?
...
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1answer
99 views
Hebrew text for Rambam's letter to Ovadia the Ger online and good Hebrew shiur on it
Does anyone know where I can find the Hebrew text for the Rambam's letter to Ovadia the Ger online, and a good Hebrew language shiur on it?
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22 views
Kitniyot for gerim? [duplicate]
How does a ger decide whether to follow Ashkenazic or Sephardic minhagim? In particular, can a ger eat kitniyot during Pesach?
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0answers
32 views
May an individual become jew? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it possible for a Gentile to convert to Judaism?
I was wondering to know if a person from non Jewish parent can become a Jew? Will he/she be recognized by other Jews ...
0
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0answers
37 views
If a convert's father is a Jew, will his father continue to be his halachic parent? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
When (if ever) are converts still related to their relatives?
If a convert's father is a Jew, will his father continue to be his halachic parent? I understand that upon ...
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votes
1answer
73 views
How did the Non Bani Israel became the followers of Prophet Moses
What does the Tanach say on How non bani israelites embraced the religion of Prophet Moses at the time of Prophet Moses.
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votes
1answer
102 views
How did foreign biblical people became the followers of their respective prophets [closed]
How did the foreign people enter the fold of believers in biblical times of Moses and prior.
One scenario to better understand this question:
In biblical times, A foreign person would have entered ...
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votes
3answers
229 views
Did the Rambam say it's OK for a Jew to convert to Islam? [closed]
I read that the Rambam considered a Jew who converts to Islam NOT to be an Apikorus(אפיקורוס)\heretic or an ovdei avodah zarah, as opposed to a convert to Christianity who he considered to be heretic ...
