Conversion to Judaism

Conversion to Judaism is not necessary as a Gentile that observes the Seven Noachide Commandments because they were commanded by G-d, automatically receives a place in ‘Heaven’ (the World to Come), according to the Talmud and Maimonides code of law ‘Mishneh Torah’.

Those wishing to convert should first read the following recommended books:

On Conversion:

• Becoming a Jew, by Rabbi Maurice Lamm. Jonathan David Publishers, Inc.
• To be a Jew, by Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin. Basic Books.
• The Gerus Guide, The step by step guide to conversion to orthodox Judaism, by Rabbi Aryeh Moshen.
• Bnei Avraham Ahuvecha; Gerim in Chassidic Thought, by Dov Ben Avraham
• Choosing to be Jewish, The Orthodox Road to Conversion, by Rabbi Marc Angel. Ktav Publishing House.
• Jewish Conversion, Its meaning and laws, by Rabbi Yoel Schwartz. Jewish Heritage & Roots Library.
• Converts and Conversions to Judaism, by Rabbi Yosef Lifland. Gefen Publishing House.
• Newly Born Jew: Noahides & Conversion to Judaism, Reb Moshe Steinerman. 
• A Concise Code of Jewish Law for Converts, by Rabbi Michael J. Broyde. Urim Publications.
• Migrant Soul, The Story of an American Convert, by Rabbi Avi Shafran. Hashgacha Press.
• Journey to the Land of My Soul, by Ahuvah Gray

On Basic Judaism:

• Tanach [The Jewish Bible], The Stone Edition, Artscroll Mesorah Publications.
• The Essential Talmud, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. Basic Books.
• Handbook of Jewish Thought (volumes 1 & 2), by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Moznaim Publishing Corporation.
• Maimonides’ Principles; The Fundamentals of Jewish Faith, by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Artscroll Mesorah Publications.
• Jewish Living – Simply Explained, by Rabbi Zalman Goldstein.
• How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household, by Blu Greenberg
• The Jewish Home: A Guide to Jewish Family Life, By Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov. Feldheim Publishers.
• The Book of Our Heritage; The Jewish Year and its Days of Significance, By Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov. Feldheim Publishers.
• The Way of God, by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. -or this other translation- The Elucidated Derech HaShem; A Systematic Approach to the Basic Principals of Jewish Belief, by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, translation by Rabbi Abba Zvi Naimam. Both by Feldheim Publishers.
• Key Jewish Facts, by Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov.
• Key Jewish F.A.Q.’s, by Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov.
• Toward a Meaningful Life, by Rabbi Simon Jacobson. 
• Teshuvah: A Guide for the Newly Observant Jew, by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.
• There Is One by Gutman Locks – ThereIsOne.com

On Jewish Law:

• Kitzur Shulchon Oruch, by Rabbi Sholomo Ganzfried. Moznaim Publishing Corporation.
• Shaarei Halachah, a summary of laws for Jewish living, by Rabbi Ze’ev Greenwald. Feldheim Publishers.
• The Concise Book of Mitzvoth, by the Chafetz Chayim. Feldheim Publishers.
• Concise Sefer HaChinuch; A Summary of the 613 Mitzvos Arranged According to the Weekly Torah Portion, by Rabbi Asher Wasserman. Feldheim Publishers.

• Sefer HaMitzvos by the Rambam. Moznaim Publishing Corporation. 

On Shabbos:

• Sabbath; Day of Eternity, by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Artscroll Mesorah Publications.
• The Laws of Cooking on Shabbos, by Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov. Sichos In English.
• Illustrated Guide to Jewish Law: Vol. 1 – Guide to Shabbos Observance, by Rabbi Ze’ev Greenwald. Feldheim Publishers.
• Illustrated Guide to Jewish Law: Vol. 2 – The 39 Melachos & Other Prohibitions, by Rabbi Ze’ev Greenwald. Feldheim Publishers.
• Shabbos Kitchen: Hilkhot Shabat Ba-Mitbah: A Comprehensive Guide to the Preparation of Food and Other Kitchen Activities on Shabbos or Yom Tov (Artscroll Halachah Series)
• Complete Shabbat Synagogue Companion, by Rabbi Zalman Goldstein.
• Complete Shabbat Table Companion, by Rabbi Zalman Goldstein.

On Kosher Cooking:

• Going Kosher in 30 Days, by Rabbi Zalman Goldstein. Feldheim Publishers.
• Illustrated Guide to Jewish Law: The Kosher Kitchen, by Rabbi Ze’ev Greenwald. Feldheim Publishers.

On Family Purity:

• Kitzur Dinei Taharah. Kehot Publication Society.
• The Laws of Yichud, by Rabbi Nissan Dovid Dubov. Sichos In English.
• Waters of Eden; The Mystery of the Mikvah, by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Artscroll Mesorah Publications.
• Taharas Am Yisroel, A Guide to the Halachos of Jewish Marriage, by Rabbi Shaul Wagschal
• Wellsprings of Taharah: A couple’s practical guide to taharas hamishpachah, based on the p’sakim of Rav Yitzchak Berkovits, by Rabbi Yitzchak Goldberg & Miriam Goldberg

On Jewish Prayer:

• Artscroll Transliterated Linear Siddur, The Seif Edition (2 volumes), Artscroll Mesorah Publications.
• Artscroll Transliterated Linear Tehillim/Psalms, The Seif Edition, Artscroll Mesorah Publications.
• Siddur Tehillat Hashem. Kehot Publication Society.
• A Guide to Jewish Prayer, by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. Schocken Books.
• To Pray as a Jew; A Guide to the Prayer Book and the Synagogue Service, by Rabbi Hayim Halevy Donin. Basic Books.
• Tefillin, by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Artscroll Mesorah Publications.
• Tzitzith; A Thread of Light, by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Artscroll Mesorah Publications.

On Jewish History:

• Miraculous Journey; A complete history of the Jewish people from Creation to the present, by Rabbi Yosef Eisen. Targum/Feldheim
• 2000 years of Jewish History; From the Destruction of the Second Bais HaMikdash until the Twentieth Century, by Rabbi Chaim Schloss. Feldheim Publishers.
• Crash Course in Jewish History: From Abraham to Modern Israel, by Rabbi Ken Spiro. Targum Press.

On the Jewish Messiah:

• Mashiach; The Principle of Mashiach and the Messianic Era in Jewish Law and Tradition, by Rabbi Jacob Immanuel Schochet. Sichos In English.
• The Real Messiah? A Jewish Response to Missionaries, by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Artscroll Mesorah Publications.
• Mashiach: Who? What? Why? How? Where? and When?, by Rabbi Chaim Kramer. Published by the Breslov Research Institute. www.breslov.org
• Dvar Malchus: Rambam’s Conception of Mashiach As Illuminated By The Lubavitcher Rebbe
• Let’s Get Biblical!: Why doesn’t Judaism Accept the Christian Messiah? Volume 1, by Rabbi Tovia Singer. Available to purchase on Amazon.
• Let’s Get Biblical!: Why doesn’t Judaism Accept the Christian Messiah? Volume 2, by Rabbi Tovia Singer. Available to purchase on Amazon.