By the end of this three-part course, rabbinical students will have a comprehensive understanding of the history, theology, and practical aspects of conversion to Judaism. They will be well-equipped to guide and support prospective converts on their spiritual journey, while adhering to the relevant halachic principles and ethical considerations.
This course is .5 credits towards smicha
About This Course
This is a good course for students who are not interested in taking the lifecycle havrutah class, but would like a taste of one of its units. This is also an ideal course for students who intend to participate as mentors at our sister organization, Darshan Yeshiva, or work with prospective Jews By Choice in synagogue settings. This is also a good course for students who struggle with quizzes and would prefer written and oral work.
You’ll find this course is a balance of written material as well as audio commentary. It is important to digest both (the written material is not a transcript of the audio). Students will also need to go through the following materials and have at least a working knowledge of the following:
Tanach Passages
Genesis 17:10-14 – Commandment of circumcision; Deuteronomy 10:19 – Obligation to love the stranger; Levitical texts related to this concept as well; General understanding of the Book of Ruth (mentioned earlier)
Talmudic Passages
Bava Metzia 59b, Yevamot 46b-48a, Yevamot 71a
Extra-Cannonical Texts
Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Issurei Biah 13:1-7; 14:1-10
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 268-271
CCAR (Reform) and RA (Conservative) responsa on conversion. Links provided in the course
Coursework
This course is passed by completing two assignments: written and oral
Written Assignment
Based on what you have learned from this course, I would like you to write a conversion to Judaism ceremony outline. This should be something similar to what is found in a rabbi’s manual, but your own unique take. For each part of the ceremony, I’d like you to explain why you are including or excluded an element (brit milah, a poem, a prayer). I’d like you to base this on your understanding of Judaism, of the laws related to conversion, and the practical rabbinics we have discussed.
Please post this paper in the #PRS Slack channel. Then make an appointment for an oral exam of this paper, as well as other materials found in this course.
Oral Exam
We will schedule a forty five minute virtual session to discuss what you have learned. I will ask you questions from the lessons, but this will be a conversation.
Questions I will particularly focus on:
- General halachic concepts and how this tends to play out in progressive Jewish circles
- Rabbinical and communal responsibilities to prospective converts and Jews By Choice
- Things that may have surprised you in this course and why
- Reviewing your assigned ceremony/rabbinical guide to better understand the Jewish choices you have made and why
If I feel you have gaps in knowledge, I reserve the right to ask you to come back and “try again”.
Thank you for the opportunity to work with you on a subject near and dear to my heart!
Meet Your Instructor
Course Content
Ratings and Reviews
Donald MeltzerStudying Jewish conversion was really interesting because it requires thinking hard about both Jewish identity (both one's own and one's view about jewish peoplehood) and Jewish pluralism (does a convert convert to Judaism or a movement within Judaism ?) And I really loved the unique idea of having an oral exam at the end ! "Is the Ger Ever a Convert" from The Torah.com was amazing article.
Miriam FeilerI found the information, sources and practical considerations incredibly valuable to help me navigate conversion in our unique Jewish communities in Asia. I also very much enjoyed thinking of ways to build more meaningful education and ceremonies. Thank you, Rabbi Patrick.
I enjoyed the class, the articales and readings were packed with though provoking info.