What are some questions a Jewish rabbi would ask a potential convert to Judaism?

אקסיביר ג’ונס: What are some questions a Jewish rabbi would ask a potential convert to Judaism?
What are some questions a Jewish rabbi would ask a potential convert? Besides why do you want to convert to Judaism.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Modest the Prince
There is no such thing as a Jewish convert. To be a Jew, you have to have a lineage and bloodline that goes back to the Tribe of Judah. That’s where the word Jew comes from Judea. Those people that we see today and call Jews are not Jews, The bible speaks on them in Revelation 2:9 3:9 and GOD calls them the synagogue of satan.

Answer by Michal B
other than why, they would ask things like… do you know that you can remain a gentile and follow only the 7 noahide laws and still be considered righteous in the eyes of God? do you understand that if you do choose to convert to judaism you will be obligated to spend the rest of your life strictly following halacha? do you understand that this may put barriers between you and your biological family? do you commit yourself to marrying a jewish spouse and raising your kids strictly jewish and sending them to jewish schools? things like that, mostly having to do with whether or not you understand what a jewish life entails or if you have some rosy, unrealistic view.

if you were actually about to literally be converted, you would be tested on a lot of your general knowledge about halacha before a jewish court, as well as your sincerity.

Answer by Ruth Aravah – JBC
answer: “Can you attend a weekly class that lasts over 16 weeks?”

“Why do you feel called to Judaism?”

Over time, during the class and time spent working with the rabbi and attending synagogue and celebrating Shabbat (without the blessings) and holidays, the rabbi will determine if he/she believes you’re ready for the final steps. Each rabbinical court will ask different questions (they aren’t out to ‘fail’ anyone). They want to be assured that you know enough about Judaism and hold Jewish beliefs to begin living fully as a Jew.

There will be further questions just before you convert:

Have you severed ties and beliefs of your previous religion?
Do you commit to the Jewish community and promise to be active in the community, Jewish life and keep a Jewish home?
If you have children, will they be raised Jewish?

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Princey and other rabid haters of Jews seem to forget that converts have ALWAYS been embraced in Judaism, by G-d Himself. Ruth was one famous convert. The Khazar accusation is an old antisemitic dodge that doesn’t hold any legitimate argument. The Khazars faded away before any significant contact with European Jews in the Diaspora. As proven by DNA tests.

Jews are Jews, no matter what their ethnic background is.

Revelation is a political rant disguised as prophecy and was referring to non-Jews pretending to be Jews. That sounds like an odd Christian group I know, not traditional Jews (who have NEVER turned from their religion)

Answer by mreisner
We really don’t want converts. We are one of the few religions that does not want anyone else to join. We are happy on our own and can conduct our worship and business in our synagogues without anyone else participating thank you. Why do you think we make it so difficult for anyone else to join?

Answer by joe the man
it’s not something you can prepare yourself to answer. just go. trust your inner instincts and respond honestly to any question asked. let the rabbi decide what he wants to ask on this particular day… go with no expectations and no anticipations.

Answer by Brian the Jewish Canadian
Well, the main question a potential convert would be asked is simply “Why do you want to be Jewish?”

The rabbi may also try to explain to the convert that it’s not neccesary for them to be Jewish in order for them to be loved by G-d and other such questions to draw out any chance that they would wish to be Jewish for the wrong reasons.

Answer by Hatikvah JPA
I’m not sure rabbis ask many questions of “potential” converts. Their main task is “teaching” until the potential convert reaches the final stages of conversion when they will be questioned about their motives (i.e. do they understand the pitfalls – anti-Semitism – of Judaism), their family, their knowledge of Judaism, etc., depending on the rabbis involved. There isn’t a set a questions used by all rabbis — the questions are specific to each rabbi and to each potential convert.
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