REQUIREMENTS FOR CONVERSION BY EUROPEAN BEIT DIN.
1.
Be able to convince the rabbi who is sponsoring you, and then the
Beit Din of your genuine desire to become Jewish or to regularise
your Jewish status. (In essence the most important criterion)
2.
Demonstrate that it is possible to lead a Jewish life where you
live, i.e. that you can become a member of a local Progressive
congregation/community or be acceptable to join or join in the
activities of the local community.
3.
Demonstrate that you (and your family where applicable) are
leading a Jewish home life with relevant rituals and have been
regularly attending synagogue services for Shabbat and festivals
for a minimum of a year.
4.
Have a basic knowledge of Jewish festivals and life-cycle events.
(A questionnaire follows illustrating the areas to be covered)
5.
Show a basic knowledge of Jewish belief and how it differs from
other major religions.
6.
Show an understanding of the differences between Orthodox and
Progressive Judaism.
7.
Be able to read the basic prayers in Hebrew and know the common
berachot (e.g. for wine, bread, candles, etc.)
................................................................................................................
1
Basic Information All Jews Should Know
Day by Day Rituals
A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
MEZUZAH
How do you write Mezuzah in Hebrew?
Describe and draw one.
What is written on the parchment inside?
What is parchment?
Which biblical verse tells us to have one?
Where is it placed and how is it orientated?
Which Hebrew word is sometimes written on the outside? What
does it mean?
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
TEFILLIN
How do you write Tefillin in Hebrew?
Describe and draw them.
How are they worn?
When are they worn and by whom?
What is contained in them?
Can you find out the Hebrew names for the two components?
On what biblical verses are they based?
What is the Progressive thought about them, and what do you
think?
C.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
TALLIT
How do you write Tallit in Hebrew?
Describe and draw one.
When are they worn and by whom?
Why are they worn? (ie what is the Biblical source?)
What is a Tallit Katan or Arba Kanfot?
D.
1.
DIETARY LAWS
Make a list of permitted and forbidden animals (ie. mammals,
birds, fish)
Where are these lists found in the Bible?
What is the essential detail of the Jewish method of slaughter of
mammals?
Who is the Shochet?
How is Kosher meat prepared before cooking? Why?
Treife is the opposite of Kosher. What is the origin of that word?
What is Parev or Parve?
What are the rules about mixing meat and milk?
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
2
8.
9.
What effect does this law have on the Kosher kitchen?
Give reasons for keeping Kashrut and also for not so doing.
From Birth to Death
A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
CIRCUMCISION
What is it?
When is it normally performed on a male infant?
What is the name of the person who usually performs it?
Can you name any other person often present in the ritual?
What is it called in Hebrew?
What is Pidyon Haben and what is the Progressive attitude to it?
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
BABY BLESSING
Where is it usually carried out?
When?
What is its origin?
What is your Hebrew name?
C.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
BAR MITZVAH - BAT MITZVAH
At what ages does it usually take place?
What do the boy or girl do?
What is it traditionally supposed to signify?
Do you know when the event assumed its present form?
Can you think of any possible objections to it?
What is the literal meaning of the word Mitzvah?
D.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
MARRIAGE
Under what does a Jewish marriage take place?
What is its origin?
Describe in full the stages of a Jewish wedding?
Write out the Aramaic words said as the ring is handed over (in
transliteration or translation).
On to what finger of the bride (and groom) is the ring first placed?
What is the Hebrew name for the Marriage Certificate?
What are the Shevah Berachot and when are they said?
How is the ceremony concluded?
What are the Hebrew names for the bride and groom?
What is a get?
How do Orthodox and Progressive Jews differ in granting of get?
What is a mikveh and explain its various uses.
E.
DEATH
3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
When, according to Jewish tradition, should the funeral take
place?
What does Judaism have to say about the type of coffin used?
What is the Shiva? Where does it take place?
What is Yahrzeit? How is it observed?
How do Orthodox and Progressive Jews differ about cremation?
6.
Explain the following Hebrew terms:
keriyah
taharah
levayah
hesped
chevra kadisha
kaddish
el male rahamim
F.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
PROBLEMS OR OBSCURE FACTS
At the time of death what happens to mirrors, water, etc?
What is chalitzah?
What is the problem of an agunah?
Define a mamzer and what problems do they have?
Who is a ger tzedek?
What is Confirmation or Kabbalat Torah and why did Progressive
Jews institute it?
7.
Calendar
A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
GENERAL
The Jewish calendar is a luni/solar calendar, explain how it works.
What is Rosh Chodesh?
List the Hebrew months.
Give Hebrew dates for the major Jewish Festivals.
Know how we calculate the number of the Jewish year.
B.
1.
2.
DAILY
Name the 3 daily services
Give the Hebrew name for the prayer book and Festival prayer
book.
Give a brief description of major parts of the daily service:
Shema
Amidah or Tefillah
Aleynu
Kaddish
Adon Olam
3.
4
C.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
SHABBAT
Write Shabbat in Hebrew letters and explain the meaning of the
word.
What is the Hebrew and Yiddish greeting on Shabbat?
When does it start and finish, and why?
Give two Biblical reasons for celebrating Shabbat.
Traditionally how many types of work may not be done on
Shabbat?
List some activities traditionally forbidden on Shabbat.
Describe the sequence of welcoming Shabbat in the home.
Describe the imagery of the Shabbat hymns, L’cha Dodi and
Shalom Aleychem.
Describe the Shabbat Torah service including the words:
Sidra
Aliyah
Hagbahah and Gelilah
“Leyning”
“Trop”
Haftarah
Hakkafot
What is a “Chumash”?
Describe the objects needed for Havdalah.
Why do we sing of Elijah at Havdalah?
What is the greeting after Havdalah?
Festivals
A.
HIGH HOLYDAYS: YAMIM NORAIM
a)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
ROSH HASHANAH
Write it in Hebrew: what does this name literally mean?
What day(s) of what Hebrew month does it fall?
How long does it last?
Describe how it is welcomed in the home.
We add an extra pleasant ritual in the hope of a good year.
Describe it including the words we say.
Name the special prayer book for the Yamim Noraim.
What is the special colour for the Torah mantles in the Synagogue?
What garment in this colour is worn on the Yamim Noraim?
Quote 3 verses of the Avinu Malkenu (Our Father, Our King) prayer
you fee the most important.
Describe the contents of the Torah portions for this festival.
Name the 3 shofar calls and describe their sound.
What is a shofar?
Why do we use it on Rosh Hashanah?
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
5
14.
15.
16.
What shape is the challah for Kiddush?
What is the greeting on Rosh Hashanah?
What is Tashlich?
b)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
TEN DAYS OF REPENTANCE
Write this phrase in Hebrew
What should we do during the Ten Days?
Give the first and last date of the Ten Days.
What is the Shabbat called in the middle?
What is Teshuvah?
In which Books do we wish to be rewarded?
c)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
YOM KIPPUR
Write it in Hebrew and translate it.
What is it’s date?
How do we welcome it into the home?
In what physical way do we mark Yom Kippur?
What is worn by the congregation on the eve of Yom Kippur, and
not worn on any other evening?
List the services over Yom Kippur.
What is the plaintive song that gives the name to the opening
evening service? What does it essentially say. Do you know its
history?
Look at the Al Chet prayer and list the 5 sins that make you really
think.
In the morning service Haftarah, what is the theme? What does
God really want of us?
What are the main themes of the Mussaf service?
In the Afternoon service, what is the Haftarah?
Why do we read it then?
What Hebrew words end Yom Kippur?
What sound ends Yom Kippur?
What is the greeting at the end of Yom Kippur?
When all is over, what traditionally should we do to prepare for the
next Festival?
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
SUKKOT
Write the Festival in Hebrew: what does the word mean? Can you
give 2 other names for the Festival?
When does it fall?
How long does it last? (refer to Leviticus chapter 23).
What is the nature of the first and last days?
What do we call the days between? How do they differ from the
first and last days?
On the first night, how do we welcome the Festival in the home?
6
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Describe the main features of a sukkah.
What should we do in it? Why?
Which are the Hallel psalms we add to the Festival service? Why
are they called “Hallel”?
What is the “Megillah” we associate with Sukkot?
What is the greeting on Sukkot?
Do you know the background to:
Hoshanah Rabbah
Shemini Atzeret
Simchat Bet Ha-Shoevah?
C.
SIMCHAT TORAH
1.
2.
Write it in Hebrew and translate it.
When does it fall? How do Progressive and Orthodox Jews in the
Diaspora differ in this? Why?
What is its main features?
Name the 5 books of the Torah.
From which do we read on this day?
What is the name of the 2 people who have the honour to do the
readings?
How do the adults behave with the scrolls?
What do the children do?
What are the children given?
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
7
D.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
CHANUKAH
Write it in Hebrew and translate.
When does it occur - ie the date and duration.
Which Books describes its history? In what collection do you find
these books?
Give a brief paragraph describing the background to the Festival.
How is it observed?
How did the story of the miraculous oil originate?
What special food is associated with the Festival and why?
What is the popular folk tune sung on the Festival?
What do children play with on Chanukah? Do you know the rules?
E.
1.
2.
3.
TU BISHVAT
Explain its name and give other names for the Festival.
Give a brief description of its origin.
How is it celebrated:
a) in Israel?
b) in the Diaspora?
F.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
PURIM
Write it in Hebrew and translate.
When is it observed?
How is it observed?
Outline the story on which it is based.
How does Megillat Esther differ from other megillot in the Bible?
Why did some 20th century Liberal Jews not observe the Festival?
What charitable acts should one do on it?
G.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
PESACH
Write it Hebrew and translate. Give other names for the Festival.
Give its Hebrew date and duration.
Quote the Biblical verses on which it is based.
How is it to be observed?
Outline the story on which it is based.
Describe the stages of the seder and what we put on the table.
What book do we use at the seder?
What is chametz?
Why is “Song of Songs” an appropriate megillah for Pesach?
Pesach is one of the 3 Pilgrim Festivals. Name the other 2.
Pilgrimages to where?
When are Festival services held?
On the days of chol hamoed Pesach what can you do and what
can’t you eat?
11.
12.
8
13.
What is the greeting on Pesach?
H.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
SHAVUOT
Write it in Hebrew and translate. Give other names for the
Festival.
How many days after Pesach does it occur?
What are the days between Pesach and Shavuot called?
What restrictions apply to Orthodox Jews in this period?
What is a Tikkun Leyl Shavuot?
What does Shavuot commemorate agriculturally and historically?
What decoration is made in the Synagogue?
What is the Torah portion?
Why is the Book of Ruth read on Shavuot?
What special foods are associated with Shavuot?
What is the greeting on Shavuot?
What is Lag B’Omer?
I.
1.
2.
3.
TISHA B’AV
Explain its name and date.
On what historical events is it based?
How is it observed?
J.
1.
2.
YOM HA'ATZMAUT
When is it?
What does it commemorate?
9
10