Beginner Reading List

Conversion to Judaism does require extensive study. Many rabbi will give you a reading list to start with. These are some books that highly recommended:

1. “To Be a Jew” - R. Hayim Halevy Donin
http://www.amazon.com/Be-Jew-Jewish-Observance-Contemporary/dp/0465086241/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200978529&sr=1-11
This book covers all basic stuff you should know, not only to be a Jew but also to be a 'good' Jew.

2. “To Pray as a Jew” - R. Hayim Halevy Donin
http://www.amazon.com/Pray-As-Jew-Synagogue-Service/dp/0465086330/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200978624&sr=1-1
An excellent guide to learn the structure of Jewish prayer and its contents and how to properly perform "service of the heart" in a Jewish way.

3. “Jewish Literacy” - R. Joseph Telushkinhttp://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Literacy-Important-Religion-History/dp/0688085067/ref=pd_sim_b_title_6
A great book to boost up your Jewish knowlegde.

4. “Chumash” - Artscroll Stone Edition - R. Nosson Scherman
http://www.amazon.com/Chumash-Stone-Artscroll-Nosson-Scherman/dp/0899060145/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200979070&sr=1-2
This is a MUST for Torah study. You might want to check in http://www.artscroll.com/ for better price (usually there’s a BIG discount during holidays)

5. “Siddur Tehillat Hashem” - Annotated Edition - R. Nissen Mangel
http://www.amazon.com/Siddur-Tehillat-Hashem-Annotated-Translation/dp/0826601529/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200979234&sr=1-1
After you read "To Pray as a Jew", you need a siddur to practice your new habit to daily prayer. This is the siddur used by Chabad Lubavitch hasidism. Check it out in http://www.kehotonline.com/ for better price. Alternative siddur for beginner is non other than the famous "The Complete Artscroll Siddur". Check out their website to obtain more info http://www.artscroll.com/

6. “How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household” - Blu Greenberg
http://www.amazon.com/How-Run-Traditional-Jewish-Household/dp/0876688822/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208269352&sr=1-1
The information is a little bit outdated however it gives a very clear and beautiful window what an observant lifestyle should fit in this modern time. This can be a good complementary for "To be a Jew".

7. "Shaarei Halacha" - R. Ze'ev Greenwald

http://www.judaism.com/display.asp?nt=DH&keyword=shaarei%20halacha&itemtype=Books&etn=CEABA

Your gate to learn summary of the Jewish law. Among the many topics included in this work are: Tzitzis, the daily routine, prayer, tefillin, blessings, the Sabbath, festivals and special days, the dietary laws, and mourning. Shaarei Halachah has been hailed as the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch for our time!

I will continue to the advanced reading list in another post. Until next time.