A Project Genesis website

Female Conversion

Question

There were certain rites that a gentile male had to perform to become a Jew. What was required of a gentile women before she could become a Jew?

Answer

Thanks for your question. I’d prefer you use the present tense – we still require these rituals. For a woman, of course, there is no circumcision, but she has to do everything else that a man does, which culminates in immersion in the ritual bath called a mikveh (which is evidently where Christianity got the idea of Baptism).

However, the main thing is the internal, spiritual conversion. The outward rituals are important and help her become an accepted member of the Jewish community but are meaningless without the internal work.

Hope this is helpful.

Rabbi Seinfeld
rabbiseinfeld.blogspot.com
daasbooks.com

Follow-up question

Question

I have researched Judaism and have determined that there’s no other Religion I’d want to be a part of. I want to convert. How do I go about doing this?

Answer

Even if you accept Judaism as being true, that doesn’t mean that you have to become Jewish. You can follow the laws that are for non-Jews. To find out about these laws I suggest that you look at the websites www.geocities.com/rachav/ and www.beni-noah.com. If you want to become really Jewish bear in mind the following (copied from a website): It is an arduous process, one that takes much determination and desire. The main thing is to change your lifestyle.

In order for the conversion to be sincere, one must live in an established Jewish community. The Jewish Court in Jerusalem, Israel requires that before anyone can be accepted into a conversion program they must be recommended by a proper Torah Observant (Orthodox Rabbi) who is well acquainted with them. They further do not require that people learn Hebrew if they want to live in an English speaking country, although it is recommended that one should learn the use of it as it is quite helpful in prayers and learning. One can learn the language through Shema Yisrael’s Learn Hebrew program – www.alephbais.com

To entirely transform yourself is a process and there can be no established time limit to that. There is no formal program that can say that in a specific amount of time you will be converted. It is very much on an individual basis, depending on one’s background, where he lives and of course how he lives.

One who chooses a conversion which is not according to traditional Torah (Orthodox) Law will not be considered Jewish regardless of what any secular (non-torah) body decides. One may feel that this approach is easier but in the end it is a path of deception far from the absolute truth of the law, which can never be deviated from. The children of a women converted in such a way will never be considered Jewish. We therefore urge all those not to be deceived into following such a path which will ultimately lead only to heartbreak and rejection.

If you decide on an Orthodox conversion you can contact http://www.noahidenations.com/ for assistance.