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Once you have been accepted by the rabbinical court, you must undergo two rituals: brit mila (circumcision – for men) and immersion in a mikveh (men and women), after which you are officially recognized as Jewish “for all intents and purposes”. |
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| Immersion ritual |
Immersion in the pure water of the mikveh symbolizes the embrace of the Jewish people and the Lord, who accept and embrace the convert to the bosom of Judaism, just as the water envelops and embraces the person being immersed. Immersion is an essential part of the conversion process and takes place in the presence of three rabbis. In the case of women’s immersion, modesty is strictly observed and a loose robe is worn. After such immersion, the convert is Jewish “for all intents and purposes” and becomes part of Am kadosh ata l’Hashem Elokeicha (“For you are a holy nation, and the Lord has chosen you”) – Deuteronomy 14:2. In other words, he is now one of the “the chosen people”.
After the ritual immersion, the convert receives a new name, as chosen by him and recommended by his accompanying family, and he is blessed as “one who is blessed with conversion”. It is recommended to hold a small service after the immersion in honor of the new Jew, to be held in the presence of his accompanying family, and mark his new status with light refreshments and a toast L’Haim (“to life”). If this is not possible, a brief ceremony may be conducted at the home of the accompanying family or in synagogue. |
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| The mitzvah of brit mila |
The rabbinical court is the Halachic factor that determines which cases of conversion also require a brit mila (circumcision) or symbolic “shedding of blood” (see Immigrants from Ethiopia above). The “shedding of blood” ritual is held prior to immersion in the mikveh, in lieu of a circumcision, and involves a small pin prick to the man’s penis. This ritual is intended for men whose foreskin was removed in a ritual that was not Jewish or according to Halacha, or for converts who were born with no foreskin.
A booklet published by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption provides additional information about the brit mila ritual, the documents required for the ritual and also brit mila for children and babies. |
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| After conversion |
On the first Shabbat following conversion, or on Mondays or Thursdays, converts may be honored with a first aliya l’torah (invitation to participate in the Bible reading in the synagogue). Couples about to marry may apply to the offices of the conversion courts for a list of rabbis who are entitled to register the marriage.
At the end of the conversion process the convert receives a conversion certificate from the Israeli rabbinical courts and another from the Ministry of the Interior. These documents are necessary for approval of Jewish status and registration of “nationality” and personal status with Israel’s Population Administration. The certificates issued by the conversion courts on completion of the conversion process are recognized by various Rabbinates in Israel and by Jewish communities in other countries. |
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