If you are a Christian but have decided that you want to convert to Judaism, it has never been easier…
There are even online conversion courses you can take, which have certificates that are legally recognized by the State of Israel.
And the journey of conversion from Christianity to Judaism is one full of surprises as things that as a Christian you may have learned at school or Sunday school will possibly come back to you, so that realize the gap really isn’t so significant.
A ritual of lighting the candles on the Sabbath isn’t so far removed from lighting the church candles on the Catholic altar.
And the language of the Lord’s Prayer echoes the words of the Kaddish, the Jewish prayer for the dead…
Unlike Jews born into Judaism, converting from one religion to another is a conscious decision you are making and, therefore, an extra special one.
Similarities Between the Two Religions
Christianity and Judaism are closer in religious beliefs than many people think, and it’s therefore not surprising that many Christians convert to Judaism and vice versa.
Many people believe that the only difference between Christianity and Judaism is that the latter believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and the former does not.
Like the Christian’s Bible, the Jews have their Torah, which contains (unlike the Christian’s 10 Commandments) 613 commandments known as mitzvahs.
The Jewish Noahide Laws are also very similar to Christian beliefs, which state that you should: 1)to acknowledge G‑d and not to worship idols (2) not to murder (3) not to commit adultery (4) not to eat the limb of a living animal (5) not to blaspheme (6) not to steal and (7) to respect the rule of law. Any non-Jew who follows these guidelines is rewarded by a place in the world to come.
In Western Christian countries, it is taken for granted that there is a 2-day weekend – likewise, the Jew faith celebrates Shabbat at the end of the week, which is dedicated to prayer services and festive meals with the family.
Nowadays, it is surprisingly easy to covert, albeit a possibly long process, depending on which branch of Judaism you want to convert to.
What Does Conversion Involve?
Jewish law dictates a number of requirements to be met by the potential convert before being accepted. These include:
- A thorough understanding of Judaism – study is required
- A committed engagement with the Jewish practice including Shabbat, Kashrut and participation in the prayer-life of the Synagogue
- A spiritual connection and a theological commitment to the Jewish community and belief.
The actual conversion process entails ritual immersion in a Mikvah – a ritual bath, Brit Milah – the ritual circumcision in the case of men), and accepting the obligation to observe the commandments (Mitzvot).
The conversion ceremonies would take place in a synagogue with a mikveh, and the beit din (Jewish Court) would be comprised of post-denominational rabbis. Male converts would be required to undergo brit milah (ritual circumcision) or a hatafat dam brit (extraction of a drop of blood).
The exciting thing about converting from Christianity to Judaism is that it is a choice – your choice for a new spiritual awakening.
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