Conversion to Judaism

Becoming a Jew — the path, the requirements, the denominational differences, and the welcome.

By The Editors

Community · 4 minute read

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Summary. A non-Jew can become a Jew. The process — giyur — requires sincere acceptance of the Jewish people, study, acceptance of the mitzvot (kabbalat ol mitzvot), immersion in a mikveh (for both men and women), and, for men, circumcision (brit milah or hatafat dam brit if already circumcised). Orthodox conversions require a beit din (rabbinical court) of three observant Orthodox rabbis. Conservative conversions follow essentially the same process with some halachic variation. Reform conversions vary by congregation; most omit the mikveh and circumcision requirements. The process typically takes one to three years.

Why Anyone Would Convert

Most converts (estimated 70–80%) convert because they are marrying a Jewish partner. Others are drawn to Judaism intellectually or spiritually and convert without a Jewish spouse. The Talmud (Yevamot 47b) records the tradition that a sincere convert should be initially discouraged (turned away three times, classically) to test the sincerity of the candidate's motivation. The discouragement is real but is followed by full and warm welcome once the candidate persists. The Talmud (Pesachim 87b) goes so far as to say that the exile of Israel was for the purpose of gathering converts.

The Orthodox Process

Roughly: (1) study for at least one Jewish year (Rosh Hashanah to Rosh Hashanah, so that the convert has experienced every holiday with a Jewish family or community); (2) live within walking distance of a shul and attend regularly; (3) work with a sponsoring rabbi (the convert's primary teacher); (4) before a beit din of three Orthodox rabbis: declaration of acceptance of the mitzvot, immersion in a mikveh, and (for men) circumcision or hatafat dam brit (a ceremonial drawing of a drop of blood, for the already-circumcised). The convert receives a new Hebrew name (typically with the patronym "ben/bat Avraham," since Avraham is the spiritual father of all converts). Orthodox conversions in the United States must usually be processed through the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) GPS network for universal acceptance.

The Conservative Process

Similar to Orthodox but somewhat less stringent. The Rabbinical Assembly's standards include the same elements (study, acceptance of mitzvot, mikveh, circumcision for men) but with some halachic variation. Conservative conversions are accepted within the Conservative movement; the State of Israel under the current Chief Rabbinate's policy accepts Conservative conversions for some purposes (Law of Return) but not for others (marriage in Israel). Acceptance by Orthodox authorities is mixed; this is an ongoing political question.

The Reform Process

Varies by congregation. Most Reform conversions require a period of study (often a 16- or 30-session Introduction to Judaism course), a sponsoring rabbi, and a final ceremony of acceptance. Mikveh is encouraged but not always required; circumcision is not generally required. Reform conversions are accepted within the Reform movement and in the State of Israel for Law of Return purposes; not accepted by Orthodox authorities. Reform's 1983 patrilineal descent decision (recognizing as Jewish a child of a Jewish father raised Jewish) is independent of conversion but related: someone born to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother is considered Jewish in Reform and Reconstructionist movements without conversion, but is not in Orthodox and Conservative.

The Question of Acceptance

A convert is, in all halachic respects, a full Jew. The Torah commands love of the convert (Devarim 10:19, and 35 other times — more than any other ethical commandment in the Torah). Mistreating a convert is a particularly severe transgression. The convert's children are full Jews regardless of marriage history. The political question of which conversions are accepted by which authorities is real and at times painful (it has consequences in Israel for marriage and burial), but it does not affect the halachic standing of any individual convert within the denomination that converted them.

Becoming a New Jew

A convert is the paradigmatic New Jew. The Editor of this Field Guide writes from a place of deep respect for converts and uses the term "New Jew" deliberately to include both ba'alei teshuva (returnees to observance) and converts. The Hebrew gerim (literally "strangers" or "sojourners," but used technically for converts) appears throughout the Torah; the convert is, in the rabbinic imagination, one of the most beloved kinds of Jews.

Where Denominations Diverge

Differences as described above. The convert's acceptance varies by which denomination converted them and which denomination is asking. Conversion at any rate requires sponsorship by a rabbi from the relevant denomination.

Sources

Torah: Devarim 10:19 (love the convert).

Talmud Bavli, Yevamot 47a–b; Pesachim 87b.

Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Issurei Biah 13–14.

Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 268–269.

RCA GPS conversion standards.

Rabbinical Assembly conversion standards (Conservative).

CCAR conversion guidelines (Reform).