Conversion To Judaism - Requirements

Requirements

The Amora'im who produced the Talmud set out three requirements for a conversion to Judaism (Keritot 8b), which must be witnessed and affirmed by a beth din hedyotrabbinical court composed of three Jewish males above the age of thirteen (they do not need to be rabbis):

• Circumcision (Brit milah or hatafat dam brit) for men
• Immersion (tevilah) in a ritual bath (mikveh) for both men and women
• Offering a certain sacrifice (korban) in the Temple (the Beit Hamikdash) – this requirement is deferred while the Temple does not exist until such time as it may be rebuilt.

The consensus of halakhic authorities also requires a convert to understand and accept the duties of the classical Jewish law. This is not stated explicitly in the Talmud, but was inferred by subsequent commentators.

After confirming that all these requirements have been met, the beth din issues a "Certificate of Conversion" (Shtar Giur), certifying that the person is now a Jew.