Questions tagged [conversion-to-judaism]

Conversion to Judaism. This entails acceptance of the mitzvos, tevila (immersion), and for men, bris milah (circumcision).

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What happens to those who have not completed their conversion post to the coming of moshiach?

Given that moshiach can come at any time, what will happen to those that are in the process of conversion? Certain passages such as yevamos 24b, geirus would no longer be performed in the messianic ...
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Can someone trying to convert have mezuzahs on his doorposts?

When one is going through an orthodox conversion, one is asked to keep all the mitzvoth with the exception of fully keeping the shabbos and putting Tefillin. I was wondering if this exception also ...
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Can one adopt a non-Jewish child and not convert him/her?

Take this hypothetical situation: A Jewish couple which has fulfilled the requirements of peru urevu wants to adopt an additional child but (perhaps due to the immense cost of Jewish day school) does ...
Clint Eastwood's user avatar
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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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Does growing up in Israel (thereby being fluent in Hebrew and Jewish traditions) with a Jewish family have any effect on the conversion process?

Assume a boy, Ploni, is born to a non-Jewish mother and a Jewish father in Israel. Ploni's mother is not halachically Jewish but has integrated into non-Orthodox Jewish culture. Ploni speaks, reads, ...
k.jackson's user avatar
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1 answer
188 views

Converted Shochet

Different standards are applied to resolving the question of "Who is a Jew" in different situations- When trying to complete a minyan, we simply ask someone if he is Jewish. Prior to marriage, ...
יהושע ק's user avatar
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1 answer
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Bris for non-Jewish boy whose parents are converting

If in the process of conversion, a couple has a baby boy, what is done regarding the bris? They have not yet fully converted, but are in the process, with a Rabbi and regularly attending synagogue ...
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What is the definition of Zera Yisrael? Please read description

Shalom Aleichem, I am considering a halachic conversion to Judaism after having converted (along with several family members of mine) with a reform rabbi several years ago. In my research and studies, ...
Aspiring Ger Tzedek's user avatar
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Does a Ger have a Chiyuv to get an Aliya?

Inspired by the comments to my answer about (pseudo) 2nd Bar Mitzvahs. Both the Magen Avraham in 282:18 and the Biur Halocho in 136:1:1 mention that the reason a Bar Mitzva boy has a high priority to ...
Danny Schoemann's user avatar
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Reform Conversions and Olam Ha-Ba [duplicate]

If a Gentile decides to convert through the Reform movement for the purposes of being ethically monotheistic, practicing traditions relating to Judaism, and having a community, would they be punished ...
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Converting to Judaism and circumcision [duplicate]

I am converting to Judaism after living Jewishly for half my life. I am 27 and there was simply no way to convert for years (and I was a minor when I first sought conversion). Now I have had a Beit ...
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Is it possible for a man to convert to Judaism without circumcision?

Is it possible for a man to convert to Judaism without circumcision? I'm not talking about where medical reasons would prevent circumcision; I'm curious to know if an uncircumcised gentile can ...
the's user avatar
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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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Why does Judaism require more orthodoxy than other religions?

Why is Judaism comprised of so many precise stringencies in comparison to other religions? Why is conversion to Judaism so strict and difficult?
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How can geirus (conversion to Judaism) be done without the prospective convert knowing at least the basics of ALL the mitzvos?

When discussing the procedure of conversion to Judaism - Geirus, The Rambam (Hilchos Isurei Biah 14:2) Writes: וּמוֹדִיעִין אוֹתוֹ עִקְּרֵי הַדָּת שֶׁהוּא יִחוּד הַשֵּׁם וְאִסּוּר עַכּוּ''ם. ...
RibbisRabbiAndMore's user avatar
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2 answers
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What is the function of a beis din in regards to a non-Jew becoming a Jew

In order for a male non-Jew to become Jewish he needs to do three things which all must be performed in front of a Beis Din (panel of 3 judges.) Those are that he must have a bris milah, accept upon ...
Yehoshua's user avatar
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Can descendants of Amalek become Jewish?

We are commanded to "blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven". Deut 25:19 Haman was a descendant of Amalek [Esther 9:24]. Descendants of Haman studied Torah in Bnei Brak. [Sanhedrin 96b, ...
Maurice Mizrahi's user avatar
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Where could an extreme ultra-orthodox baal t'shuva etc. realistically find a shidduch? [closed]

When it comes to shidduchim, the extreme ultra-orthodox (both chassidim and non-chassidim) often seem to discriminate against equally (or even more) religious (children of) baalei t'shuva, gerim, ...
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Motivation for Disallowing Conversions

What was the motivation of the Syrian community's rabbis for disallowing conversions and when did it happen? Did any other Sephardi communities join in this decision later on?
SimchasTorah's user avatar
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Other than Avraham has there ever been an organized attempt to draw new converts to Judaism?

We know that in very early Judaism Avraham and Sarah converted people to Judaism We know that if your mother was Jewish you are Jewsish We know that it is possible for a Gentile to convert to Judaism ...
James Jenkins's user avatar
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447 views

Is there a korbon needed for conversion? [duplicate]

A Noahide teacher told a friend, who's a convert, that he's not really Jewish because one who converts has to bring a korbon thus he's not Jewish... he asked me regarding this topic but I personally ...
Elchanan Campan's user avatar
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1 answer
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What should a conversion candidate expect in a Reform three-judge rabbinic court (Bet Din)?

What should a conversion candidate expect in a Reform three-judge rabbinic court (Bet Din)? I was told it was to determine the Jewish knowledge of the conversion candidate, but do you have any ...
Kamic's user avatar
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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 ...
Ger's user avatar
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Do I sit Shiva after my parents if I am converted to Judaism?

If the parents of a ger pass away, must the convert sit shiva for them? If so, is it preferable to sit shiva in the mourner's hometown or the parent's hometown?
Susan's user avatar
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Why cannot a convert make certain statements? I feel they are being pushed away at the same time respect is being given to them

It is stated that a convert is in the same regard considered a Jew as a native born. Rashi on Dvarim 26:11 states that a convert cannot recite the declaration כי באתי אל הארץ נשמע ה׳ לאבתינו לתת לנו. ...
Elchanan Campan's user avatar
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Kohen status of a son by intermarriage?

If a Jewish man marries a non-Jewish woman, their children are not considered to be Jewish. (Some Jews don't, or didn't, agree). Presumably, if the man was a Kohen, any son he had would not be a Kohen ...
Anthony's user avatar
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Can a person convert if they are living with non-Jewish relative/s?

Can someone living with a non-Jewish friend/house mate convert to Judaism? Obviously, there is a concern over issues such as Shabbat and Kashrut - however if the non-Jewish person complies or makes ...
Malka S's user avatar
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1 answer
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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 ...
Daniel's user avatar
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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)
Gershon Gold's user avatar
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2 answers
354 views

Can one convert for love?

If one met a very nice Jewish girl and would like to marry her but was told she can't marry a non-Jew, and decided that one wants to convert to stay with her, would that be acceptable? And whole ...
Albert's user avatar
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1 answer
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Is a convert allowed to keep the name of an Avodah Zarah?

If a convert to Judaism has the name of an Avodah Zarah, is he or she obligated to change it? For example, there are many Hindus today that have the names of Hindu gods such as Lakhshmi, Shiva, and ...
Robert Columbia's user avatar
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2 answers
440 views

How to start loving someone after they become Jewish

A certain acquaintance of mine had bad middos and I didn't like her. Then she converted to Judaism. Nothing has changed: she still has bad middos; I still don't like her. But everything has changed. ...
SAH's user avatar
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1 answer
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Contact lenses during conversion immersion

If a convert wore contact lenses during the mikvah immersion, is the conversion still valid? Does it depend on whether the contact lenses are disposable (not the one you wear for more than 30 days)?
hellogoodbye's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
614 views

Circumcision when danger to life, born Jews and potential gerim

In this post, Skylar refers to teshuvos from the Seride Esh and R. AY Kook which rule that a male non-Jew may not convert if he is unable to undergo milah. Does pikuach nefesh completely push off the ...
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Good idea to fast on the day of conversion?

Is there any reason someone would refrain from eating on the day of conversion up until it is complete?
yid's user avatar
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3 answers
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Why does a convert own his property?

It seems to be accepted that a non-Jew who converts owns his property that he owned as a non-Jew, and this is the simple reading of several Mishnayos (See Peah 4:6 for example). However, there is a ...
Y     e     z's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
174 views

How did Bisya/Basya know that tevilah is part of conversion?

In Shemos 2:5, we read the daughter of Pharaoh came down "לִרְחֹץ עַל הַיְאֹר" "To dip into the Nile". The Gemara in Sotah 12b says it means she came to convert. How did she know ...
flips's user avatar
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2 answers
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Why is hatafas dam bris necessary for conversion for someone who already has a bris milah?

In a case when a non-Jew wishes to convert to Judaism but already has a bris milah, a procedure or process known as "hatafas dam bris" is made. That's where a small needle is put in the place of the ...
Yehoshua's user avatar
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What song did Avraham ben Avraham sing before he was killed?

Avraham ben Avraham or Count Valentine Potocki, converted to Judaism and was burned at the stake for doing so by the Roman Catholic Church. Before he was killed he sang a song that was later used in ...
Josh's user avatar
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1 answer
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Practical Issues with a Shulchan Aruch style conversion

Assuming a proselyte in the US is sincere and already identifies with the Jewish people and already keeps the main lifestyle mitzvot (kashrut, 3 daily prayers, tallit gadol, tefillin, Hebrew and Torah ...
יהושע ק's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
195 views

Mikraos Gedolos set of the entire Tanakh?

I will start by saying that I know nothing and must admit I was raised Christian. I had some curiosity as to why Christians are Christian when our guy that we are supposed to imitate and be like told ...
Michael's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
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Re-use of items used in service of another deity upon conversion

I am in the process of converting to Judaism from being a hellenic pagan (yes, there is a small revivalist movement, and yes, I am deeply grateful I was led away from that path) and I had a specific ...
Rachael's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
818 views

Seeking conversion programmes in Israel for women

EDIT: Wow, it has been a while since I created this post on here! Since I created this post, four years have passed and I am now 22 years old and am in my third year of university. I changed ...
paradiddlepad's user avatar
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1 answer
2k 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 ...
Needhelp's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
143 views

How does someone adopted as an infant determine Jewish status?

While this question applies to me it is being edited to become more general in accordance with the rules of this site. If an infant, the child of a non-Jewish mother (and therefore not Jewish), is ...
CKat9's user avatar
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0 answers
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Is a pre-convert considered a Noahide?

If a non-Jew [ex-Muslim] is working with the Beit Din for an Orthodox Conversion to Judaism, is he still considered to be a Noahide as he does not yet have a status of being Jewish?
Sujin's user avatar
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Halacha to discourage a convert once every 6 months?

A friend of mine told me that the halacha of discouraging a convert three times has a little nuance - the convert has to make the second and third attempt (to persuade the rabbi to let him convert) at ...
Dan Weisberg's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
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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 ...
user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

Converts to be treated as if they were born Jewish

There is a scripture in the Tanakh where G-d clearly says a convert to Judaism is to be treated,as if he were born a Jew. I've seen it but can't seem to find it. Perhaps one more knowledgeable then I ...
Don Solins's user avatar
4 votes
4 answers
489 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 ...
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