Converting to Judaism means that you must be willing to follow halakhah, accept the Torah, and join a people. We learn from the Talmud Bavli – based upon Deuteronomy 29:13-14 – that every sincere convert’s soul was present at Mount Sinai and agreed to follow the mitzvot handed down during the national revelation.
[F]or thus we find in the case of Moses our teacher: When he adjured Israel [to keep the commandments], he said to them: ‘Know that not according to your own minds do I adjure you, but according to the mind of the Omnipresent, and my mind;’ as it is said: Neither with you only [do I make this covenant and this oath – Deuteronomy 29:13]. But with him that stands here with us [Deuteronomy 29:14]: hence we know only those who were standing by Mount Sinai [were adjured]; the coming generations, and proselytes who were later to be proselytized [sic], how do we know [that they were adjured also then]? Because it is said, and also with him that is not here with us this day [Deuteronomy 29:14]. And from this we know only [that they were adjured for] the commandments which they received at Mount Sinai; how do we know [that they were adjured for] the commandments which were to be promulgated later, such as reading the Megillah [of Esther]? Because it is said: They confirmed and accepted [Esther 9:27]: they confirmed what they had long ago accepted. (Shevuot 39a)1
During the time of Biblical Israel – before the Babylonian Exile – the religion and nationality of the people were mostly indistinguishable. Conversion as we now know it did not exist. Most new members joined the religion of the Israelites through assimilation and intermarriage.
The Babylonian Exile in 586 BCE caused a detachment of the Israelite religion from the national identity of the people. This ultimately led to the concept of conversion where any gentile could adopt the Israelite religion through formal conversion.2
After the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Beit HaMikdash in 70 CE and the Bar Kochva Revolt of 132 CE conversion was only conducted on an individual basis and the idea of proselytizing ceased.
After the emancipation, Jews again welcomed converts on a more open basis. By the end of the 19th century a more stringent approach to conversion prevailed. Orthodox Judaism – as a response to intermarriage and the “non-halakhic” conversions of the Reform movement – began to “focus more on the particularistic, especially the legal, aspects of Judaism.”2
While the non-Orthodox movements continue to welcome converts, the Orthodox world continues to generally be more cautious about potential converts and the entire conversion process.
Conversion must be done out of a true conviction and not due to any type of coercion or simply to get married.
It is important to understand Rabbinical Judaism’s basic beliefs which include:
1. Maimonides’ 13 Principles of Faith
2. Judaism introduced the idea of One God to the world. Judaism rejects the idea of a trinity and other multiple gods. You can pray directly to God without any intermediaries.
3. Judaism does not believe in “original sin”. People are free to choose good or bad.
4. Judaism does not believe that Satan is a fallen angel. Satan is an angel in heaven who is only permitted to do what God allows him.
5. Judaism encourages probing spiritual questions.
6. Judaism encourages close-knit families and communities.
7. Judaism does not believe that the Messiah has yet come. When the Messiah does come he will be a normal human-being and not a demi-god. Certain occurrences will happen when the Messiah comes.
8. Judaism believes that all righteous gentiles will have a place in the World To Come.
1I. Epstein. “Talmud Bavli – Tractate Shevuot.” [http://halakhah.com/rst/nezikin/37b%20-%20Shevuos%20-%2029a-49b.pdf]
2Lawrence Epstein. “Conversion History: Ancient Period.” MyJewishLearning, n.d. [http://www.myjewishlearning.com/life/Life_Events/Conversion/History/Ancient.shtml]