Why Be Jewish?
Why Consider Conversion to Judaism?
I was asked “why do people convert to Judaism?” So I emailed a group of local Jews by choice and asked they to answer that question for themselves. Here are some answers they gave, below. (For more comments, see blog entries on our last page.)
Speaking personally, I decided to convert because I felt a powerful, unexplainable love for Judaism, a pull to be with Jews and to do Jewish things.Speaking as a rabbi who has talked with many people on the conversion path, people become Jews because of love: either a direct sort of love for Judaism, or the love of someone Jewish that bloomed into a love of Judaism. For me, conversion to Judaism is all about love. "You will love Adonai Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your muchness." (Deuteronomy 6:5) That is what Jews are called to do, and it is what calls people to Judaism.
For some it is a soul longing-- for others a way to live --- for others it is beyond words or for love or for this reason at this moment but something altogether different at a different stage of the journey....and for some, all of the above.
My answer is simple, and fairly concise. I converted to Judaism because I wanted a spiritual place to call home. Judaism spoke to me on a multitude of levels, and my rabbi, in word, insight, and deed, is my teacher and inspiration.
It’s in the prayer book (Pg. 705 Gates of Prayer (the old Siddur). (It is also in the new one, but I do not know the page.)
Take a look at more answers on our blog: Into the Jewish Pool