02 Feb Jewish Orthodox Conversion vs Other Conversions

Conversions other than Orthodox may included reading material , a test, classes and may involve immersion in mikvah, may involve a Bet Din (tribunal, not necessarily Shomer Shabbos members)

The time to complete a conversion other than Orthodox may be relatively short. People who have chosen this path have found various halachic (Jewish law) difficulties later on in life.

Jewish Orthodox-conversions are done by an Orhodox, all Shomer Shabbos Beit Din (a tribunal of minimal 3 Orthodox Rabbi’s) which interview and may accept the ‘conversion candidate’.

Upon acceptance by the Beit Din, the candidate may then get an extensive reading list and must secure a Rabbi as a sponsor. The Beit Din will approve a conversion teacher. The candidate must live in an approved Orthodox community and have regular attendance to an Orthodox shul. They will be seen interim by the beit din and be given interim oral exams. The final exam (Toronto Beit Din) is 800 questions and approximately 12 hours (can be done in sections). The candidate is expected to learn, participate and eventually come to observe all Holidays and Shabbos  laws ( less one halachic breach of Shabbos until a Jewish status is attained).  The candidate will need to make community and personal connections to other Orthodox Jews .  When the Beit Din is satisfied of the candidates connection to living and learning of Judaism, the final act of the conversion is then immersion into a mikvah.

Orthodox conversion to Judaism is likened to the grafting of a tree. In this case the grafting process is likened to the convert grafting on to the root of Avraham. The process takes time and nurturing through  the learning and living of Torah. The astringent process is meant to insure the integrity and ongoing sustainability of Judaism for the individual and Klol Yisroel.

I run Jewish Conversion Resources where we can answer questions on conversion from around the world.
Jewish Conversion Resources does not promote or encourage conversion, but acts as a resource.