Judaism has never been a religion of blood – anyone willing to take on the commandments of the Torah can be converted to Judaism. Such a person – in Hebrew, a ger tzedek – is welcomed into the Jewish people and is accorded the rights, privileges, and obligations of every Jew. There are strict injunctions against reminding a convert of the conversion -- each is a Jew like any other.
Technically, converts are required to appear before a beit din (religious court), which examines their motives and commitment. Immediately following the beit din, female converts undergo tevilah (ritual immersion) in the mikveh. Men, in addition to tevilah, must also undergo circumcision (milah). If they have already been circumcised, a drop of blood is symbolically taken from their penis in a practice called hatafat dam brit.
Today, the process of conversion generally takes between one and two years. Requirements for study and practice vary from rabbi to rabbi and denomination to denomination but all require some of both. Many prospective converts take a group class sponsored by the community in addition to individual study with a rabbi. Most rabbis will expect a prospective convert to have gone through at least a full cycle of the Jewish year, observing all the Jewish holidays, prior to conversion.
In addition to the beit din, many rabbis welcome converts to Judaism with a small ceremony. This can take place immediately following the conversion itself, in the presence of the beit din and immediate family, or on the Shabbat following the conversion. The convert will often recite the Shema, receive his or her new Hebrew name, teach some words of torah, and receive a blessing from the rabbi. Often, new converts will have their first aliya to the Torah on the Shabbat following the conversion. In the case of a couple that has already celebrated a civil marriage, a chuppah (Jewish wedding ceremony) generally takes place, often immediately following the conversion.
Adopted children are usually converted as infants. Since they themselves have not made this choice, their conversion is contingent on their reaching the age of majority and accepting their status as Jews.
Today, conversion has become highly-politicized within the Jewish community. Many Orthodox rabbis will not perform conversions for the sake of marriage. Orthodox rabbis also do not recognize Reform and Conservative conversions, and Conservative rabbis do not recognize Reform conversions if milah and tevilah have not taken place. On the other hand, some converts will choose an Orthodox conversion even if they themselves have not chosen an Orthodox lifestyle, in order to insure universal acceptance of their status.
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