Becoming Jewish - Jewish FAQ

What are the various groups of Jews?
Even though Jews are members of one nation and one people, there are different groups within the Jewish world. These groups are based on their diaspora-ancestral homelands.

Mizrakim - Jews from the Middle-East (Egypt, Israel, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon) and Asia: (China, India, Afghanistan)
Teimanim - Jews from Yemen
Maghrebim - Jews from parts of North Africa and North-West Africa (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia)
Sephardim - Jews from Spain, Protugal, Italy, and Greece
Ashkenazim - Jews from Northern and Eastern Europe
Chabashim - Jews from Ethiopia (also known as Beta Jews)

Who are the Ashkenazic Jews and who are the Sephardic Jews?
Ashkenazic Jews are descendants of Jews from France, Germany, and Eastern Europe. Sephardic Jews are descendants of Jews from Spain, Portugal, and North Africa.

Who are the Samaritans?
The Samaritans are a small religious group based primarily in Kiryat Luza on Mount Gerizim and near the city of Nablus (Shechem)near Shechem (modern-day Nablus) who claim descent from the Biblical tribes who lives in Sumeria before the Babylonian exile. The Samaritans were at one time part of the Jewish world in Israel (pre-Babylonian Exile) but have since that time broken from Judaism (which they consider a perversion of the faith of the pre-Babylonian Exile Jews). They believe that Mount Gerizim - and not Jerusalem - is where the Holy Temples stood. They reject the Mishnah (Oral Law) and Talmud and have a significantly different list of the Ten Commandments in their Torah (specifically the sanctity of Mount Gerizim).

Who are the Netzarim?
The Netzarim (also known as Netzari or Nazerene) are a religious sect that is closely related to Christianity (specifically "Messianic Judaism"). The Netzarim are followers of Jesus the Nazarene. They believe - like trinitarian Christianity - that Jesus was both the messiah and G-d incarnate. They do believe like the Messianic Judaism sect of Christianity that the Law (Torah) was not done away with and needs to be kept today. Like "Messianic Judaism", the Netzarim pick and choose what to follow from the Talmud and regard the rest as rabbinic writings that hold no authority. They are not considered a sect of Judaism.

Who are the Ebionites?
The Ebionites were a Jewish-Christian are a religious sect that is closely related to early monotheistic Christianity that insists on the necessity of following Jewish religious law and rites, which they interpret in light of Jesus' expounding of the Law. They regarded Jesus as the Messiah but not as divine. The Ebionites revered his brother, or cousin, James as the head of the Jerusalem Church and rejected Paul of Tarsus because he was an apostate towards the Law.

Who are the Messianic Jews?
The Messianic "Jews" (also known as Hebrew Christians) are part of a a religious sect that is closely related to trinitarian Christianity (although a very small number are monotheistic Christians). The Messianic "Jews" are followers of Jesus the Nazarene. They believe - like trinitarian Christianity - that Jesus was both the messiah and G-d incarnate. They do believe that the Law (Torah) was not done away with and needs to be kept today. Messianic "Jews" pick and choose what to follow from the Talmud and regard the rest as rabbinic writings that hold no authority. They are not considered a sect of Judaism.

What is the Torah?
The Torah - also known as the Five Book of Moses or the Written Torah - are the first five books of the Tanach. The Torah covers the creation of the earth and the first humans, the Great Flood and the covenant with mankind, the enslavement of and Exodus from the Hebrews in Mitzraim, giving of the Torah (Written and Oral), renewal of Covenant given to Avraham, festivals established, wandering through the desert, the Tabernacle Ark, and Priestly duties, and the death of Moshe Rabbenu. A Sefer Torah is the Torah Scroll that is read on the Sabbath.

How is a Torah Scroll (Sefer Torah) made?
A Sefer Torah is hand-written by a sofer The sofer prepares parchment paper from a kosher animal (usually a cow), ink (from powdered gall nuts, copper sulfate, Arabic gum, and water), and a quill made from a kosher bird such as a turkey or duck. The sofer uses a stylus to mark the area of the parchment where the writing will take place. Once the parchment, ink, and quill are ready, the sofer will begin to write the Sefer Torah. After all the parchments have been written, the sofer will sew the sections together with a special thread called giddin. Giddin is leg sinew from a kosher animal. Once the sections are sewn, the sofer will sew the two ends of the Sefer Torah to two wooden rollers called Eitzei Chayim (Trees of Life). Writing a Sefer Torah can take up to one year and will be checked by at least two other people before it is used to ensure that no errors have been made.

What is the Tanach?
The Tanach is the Hebrew Bible. It contains the Torah, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim. The Torah (תורה) covers the creation of the earth and the first humans, the Great Flood and the covenant with the gentiles, the enslavement of and Exodus from the Hebrews in Egypt, giving of the Torah (Written and Oral), renewal of Covenant given to Avraham, festivals established, wandering through the desert, the Tabernacle Ark, Priestly duties, and the death of Moshe Rabbenu. The Nevi'im (נביאים) covers the time period from the death of Moshe Rabbenu through the Babylonian exile (ca.1200BCE-587BCE) and contains 19 books. The Ketuvim (כתובם) covers the period after the return from the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE) and contains 12 books.

Who wrote the Tanach?
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy - Moses
Joshua - Joshua (Phineas wrote the last few verses regarding Joshua's death)
Judges - Samuel
Samuel - Samuel (through I Samuel 25:1), Gad, Nathan
Kings - Jeremiah
Isaiah - School of King Hezekiah
Jeremiah - Jeremiah, Men of the Great Assembly
Ezekiel - Men of the Great Assembly
Twelve Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) - Men of the Great Assembly
Psalms - David (included Psalms by Adam, Abraham, and Moses)
Proverbs - Solomon
Job - Moses (or possibly Men of the Great Assembly)
Song of Songs - Solomon
Ruth - Samuel (or possibly Men of the Great Assembly)
Lamentations - Jeremiah
Ecclesiastes - Solomon
Esther - Men of the Great Assembly
Daniel - Men of the Great Assembly
Ezra - Ezra
Nehemiah - Ezra
Chronicles - Ezra (through II Chronicles 21:1), Nehemiah

What are the oldest manuscripts of the Tanach?
The Dead Sea Scrolls contain the oldes known manuscripts of the Tanach. Before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest Hebrew manuscripts of the Bible were Masoretic texts dating to 9th century. The biblical manuscripts found among the Dead Sea Scrolls push that date back to the 2nd century BCE. Before this discovery, the earliest extant manuscripts of the Old Testament were in Greek in manuscripts such as Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus.

What is the Septuagint?
The Septuagint, (also known as the LXX) refers to the Koine Greek version of the Tanach, translated in stages between the 3rd and 1st centuries BCE in Alexandria. It is the oldest of several ancient translations of the Tanach into Greek. The word septuaginta means "seventy" in Latin and derives from a tradition that seventy (or seventy-two) Jewish scholars translated the Torah from Hebrew into Greek for Ptolemy II Philadelphus. Contraty to popular belief, the Jewish scholars only translated the Torah (Five Books of Moses) and not the entire Tanach. The remainder of the Tanach was translated by non-Jewish Greek scholars.

What is the Talmud?
The Talmud is made up of the Mishnah that was given to Moses at Mount Sinai and the Gemara which includes rabbinic arguments and teachings.

Where can I study about the priestly duties and responsibilities (old testament)?
The priestly (Kohen) duties and responsbilities began with Aaron and his sons (Exodus chapter 28 and chapter 29). The consecration of the Kohenim can be read in Leviticus chapter 8 and the priestly service can be read in Leviticus chapter 9. The appointment of the Levites and their Tabernacle/Temple duties is described in Numbers 3:5-13. The re-establishment of the Kohenim and Levites during the Second Temple period can be read in Ezra 6:15-22.

Other areas of the Tanach that involve the Kohenim include: Leviticus 4:3, 13:2, 21:1,10; Numbers 6:24, 19:7, 35:25,28,32; Deuteronomy 18:3; Joshua 6:4, 20:6, 21:9; Ezekiel 48:10; Haggai 2:11; Malachi 2:1; Ezra 2:61, 3:2,8, 6:18; Nehemiah 12:1,12; I Chronicles 9:10, 24:1,7; II Chronicles 29:3, 31:4

Other areas of the Tanach that involve the Levites include: Leviticus 25:32; Numbers 3:40, 4:1-42, 8:5,24, 15:1, 18:24, 26:57, 29:19, 35:2,6; Deuteronomy 18:1, 25:5; Joshua 13:14,33 21:1,4; Ezekiel 45:5, 48:13; Ezra 3:8, 6:18; Nehemiah 9:6, 12:8,22, 13:10; I Chronicles 5:27, 6:1,42, 9:14, 12:27, 15:5, 23:6; II Chronicles 29:3, 31:4

What is a Mezuzah?
A mezuzah is a parchment written in Hebrew that contains that verses from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21. The mezuzah scroll is rolled up, wrapped in paper or plastic, and inserted into a mezuzah case. The mezuzah case is then affixed to all doorways (with some exceptions like the bathroom) in a Jewish home.

How is a Mezuzah Scroll made?
A mezuzah scroll is hand-written by a sofer (Jewish scribe) on kosher parchment using kosher ink and a quill from a kosher bird. The parchment is scored with a stylus and the Hebrew verses from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 are written on the parchment. On the reverse side of the parchment, the Name Shaddai (one of G-d's Names) is written. The mezuzah scroll is then wrapped in paper or plastic and is ready to be inserted into a mezuzah case.

What is a Ketubah?
A ketubah is a Jewish marriage contract that outlines the financial, conjugal, and moral obligations a man has toward his wife. Traditionally, a ketubah is written in Aramaic and is witnessed and signed by two male witnesses before being given to the bride during the wedding ceremony.

What is a Get?
A get is a Jewish divorce decleration that a man is required to give to his wife in order to solidify a religious divorce. A women must have a get before she is permitted to remarry.

What is halachah?
Halachah is Jewish law. Halachah is derived from the Written Torah and the Mishnah.

What makes food kosher?
According to halachah there are three types of food - kosher, non-kosher, and pareve. Kosher food is any food that is determined to be kosher according to halachah (for example: milk, chicken, chocolate). Packaged kosher food is marked by a chesher mark showing that it has been approved by a rabbi as kosher. Unpackaged food is overseen by a rabbi to ensure a kosher standard. Non-kosher food is any food that is determined to be non-kosher according to halachah (for example: pork, cheeseburger). Pareve food is any food that is neither kosher nor non-kosher (for example: nuts, fresh vegetables).

Is it a rock solid law to eat only kosher food?
Leviticus 11:1-2 specifically states that Jews are only to eat specific foods. Remember that the command to eat kosher is only meant for Jews (although it is highly recommended for non-Jews). The remainder of Leviticus chapter 11 describes what can be eaten and how the utensils are to be prepared. Remember, even Noah knew the difference between clean (kosher) and non-clean animals (Genesis 7:2-3; 9:20).

What is the Shemitah (Sabbatical) Year and Yovel (Jubilee) Year?
The Shemitah (Sabbatical) year occurs every seven years and is a year of rest for the land. No planting or harvesting may be done during a Shemitah year - the population must rely on the produce from the sixth year for three years (sixth, seventh, and eighth) (Leviticus 25:20-21).

The year after seven cycles of seven Shemitah years (49 years) is known as the Yovel (Jubilee) year - fiftieth year. The Yovel is treated as a Shemitah year which means that the 48th year must support the population for four years (48, 49, 50, 51). Also, during this Yovel year, all slaves must be set free (Leviticus 25:10) and all sales of of land are returned to their owners (Leviticus 25:23) - thus there were only leases of property for periods of up to 49 years.

May a person convert to Judaism?
Yes. Anyone who is sincere and is willing to keep all applicable 613 mitzvot can convert.

How does one convert to Judaism?
Anyone wishing to convert must spend time studying with a rabbi, agree to follow all applicable mitzvot, appear before a bet din, immerse in a mikveh, and be circumcised (or have a hatafat dam brit).

Do you have to be a Jew to go to heaven?
No. Any righteous person - Jew or not - has a place in the World to Come. Non-Jews are commanded to only follow the seven Noachide Laws.

I wonder, is Earthly existence a kind of test for entrance into Heaven? A worthiness test perhaps?
According to Judaism, everyone has a purpose in life. Our main job here on earth is to praise G-d, follow his mitzvot, and work at our purpose in life. Judaism places more emphasis on the here-and-now and not the hereafter. While it is true that what we do (or don't do) here on earth will have an effect upon our initial entry into the hereafter, it is important to remember that the righteous of all nations (Jew and non-Jew) have a place in the hereafter.

How can one ever be "perfect"? From things I've read and heard, Both Christian and Jewish make it seem like our main goal in life is to strive for perfection. Please clarifiy.
Judaism does not teach perfection. G-d blessed mankind with free will which means we have a choice in how to lead our lives. We are all placed on earth for a specific purpose. While G-d does expect mankind to follow the mitzvot (613 for Jews and 7 for non-Jews), He does not expect - or demand - perfection. If man sins, he must perform teshuva (return to G-d) with a commitment to not commit the sin again.

Who will the Messiah be?
The Messiah (Moshiach in Hebrew) will be a human who is born as a direct descendent of King David through Judah and Solomon. He will be proceeded by Elijah who will announce his arrival and there will be an ingathering of Jews to Israel from all corners of the earth. Certain things will take place which the Messiah arrives, including:
1. Reestablishment of the Holy Temple;
2. World-wide peace;
3. The entire world will believe in G-d;
4. Jews will be sought for spiritual guidance;
5. Death will cease and there will be a resurrection of the dead;
6. The enemy dead will be buried;
7. The Nations will help the Jews materially;
8. Each tribe of Israel will receive its inheritance;
9. Eternal joy and gladness will characterize the Jewish Nation;
10. The Egyptian River will run dry;
11. Trees will yield new fruit monthly in Israel;
12. The Messiah will be the perfect judge able to see beyond words and appearances;
13. The Messiah will be able to vanquish evil at a word;
14. The Messiah will be the king of an independent and recognized Israel;
15. The nations will recognize the wrongs they did to Israel;
16. Israel will be perfect in the practice of Torah;
17. All of Israel will be prophets; and
18. The Messiah will be universally recognized

Why don't Jews accept Jesus as the Messiah?
The simple answer is that Jesus never accomplished the Messianic prophecies (see answer above). The Messiah (Moshiach in Hebrew) will be a human who is born as a direct descendent of King David through Judah and Solomon. He will be proceeded by Elijah who will announce his arrival and there will be an ingathering of Jews to Israel from all corners of the earth.

According to Christianity, Jesus is G-d incarnate/the "Son of G-d" which means he is not human. Also, according to the genealogies in the Christian scriptures, he was not a descendent of King David through Judah and Solomon. Lastly, he was not proceeded by Elijah and there was no ingathering of Jews to Israel.

According to Judaism, who is Satan?
HaSatan (the Satan - "the challenger") is an angel that works as a prosecutor and tempter of man. HaSatan has no free will (just like all the other angels) and may only do that which G-d permits.

Why do some Jews leave the "o" out of G-d?
Judaism does not forbid the writing out of the Names of G-d per se. However, Judaism does forbid taking the Names of G-d in vain and erasing or defacing the Names of G-d. Observant Jews do not write out the Names of G-d in order to protect the Names from later being erased or defaced.

Page Updated: 07/26/09