Here is a short list of recommended reading for people thinking of converting to Judaism. This is not in any way a finite list but if you want to become a Jew it is a good place to start.

Old Testament Bible

The obvious book to read when you are thinking about becoming a convert to Judaism is the Bible/The Jewish Bible/The Old Testament. Take your time reading the Bible if you are thinking of converting to Judaism as it is a long and sometimes difficult book to read. If you are thinking about becoming Jewish read the Jewish Bible slowly taking in as much of the deeper meaning as possible. If necessary use a Bible reading guide to understand the meaning. This is the most important book to read when considering conversion to Judaism as it is the basis of the entire religion, if you can read and agree with what is written in the Bible then you are well on your way to becoming a likely candidate for Jewish conversion. In Judaism there are a number of other religious books like the Talmud, which take the biblical laws one step further and explain and interpret the bible but initially you should concentrate just on the Old Testament.

To Be a Jew by Hayim H. Donin

To Be a Jew is one of the set reading books in the Israeli Jewish Agency's conversion course, and for good reason. To Be a Jew explains very simply what is required of you in your daily life if you convert to Judaism. To Be a Jew covers, among other things the rules of Kashrut, family purity, Jewish modesty, Jewish charity, Jewish prayer, the various Jewish holidays and Jewish traditions. Once you have read To Be a Jew you need to decide whether you are ready to commit to keeping the mitzvoth presented in the book. Converting to Judaism is not only about keeping the Jewish holidays and going to temple, being a Jew involves living a Jewish life. This book will help you understand what will be expected of you as a Jew on a day to day basis. Not only are there traditions and laws given in To Be a Jew but the various Jewish blessing which have to be said in Hebrew throughout the day and on special occasions are given. In the book, To Be a Jew, the blessings are transcribed into English which is very helpful if you do decide to convert to Judaism and have to recite blessings in Hebrew.

A History of the Jews by Paul Johnson

Becoming a Jew not only means forming a personal relationship with the Almighty but becoming part of a nation, the nation of Jews. A History of the Jews gives you a thorough understanding of where the Jewish nation came from, from the original forefathers and up to the recent history of the young Jewish nation of Israel. Converting to Judaism makes you one of the extended family of the Jewish people and as such you will feel more connected if you can understand the trials and tribulations that they as a people have suffered. A History of the Jews can also clear up any misconceptions or prejudice a Jewish convert may have from having been brought up in a non-Jewish community. A History of the Jews has also appeared on recommended reading lists for other conversion courses in the past.

The Rebbe's Daughter by Reva Mann

I recently read this book by Reva Mann, it is an autobiography by a women who chazra bachuva, which means she became more orthodox in her Jewish beliefs and Jewish practices. For a Jew to go from secular Jew to Jewish Orthodox is as drastic a change in lifestyle as a full conversion as the ways of the Hassidic Jews are very different.

The Rebbe's Daughter would not find it's way onto any standard reading list for potential Jewish converts as the protagonist questions her faith and in the process she breaks many of the Jewish laws, the book also has explicate sex scenes. I have included this book in my recommended reading for people considering a Jewish conversion because the author has managed to include many, many details about her daily life as a Jew, and not only as a Jew but as a Jew in Israel. In the course of the book most of the Jewish holidays are described as are many traditions and even unusual facts about the Hassidic beliefs and the Orthodox Jewish approach to sex. This book is light reading, and not one that will teach you Jewish law but it will give you an insight into Jewish life and Jewish life in Israel.

This book does contain explicit descriptions of the protagonist's sexual encounters so if you would rather not read those then this book is not for you.

Other recommended reading if you are thinking about joining the Jewish religion.

Any factual novels on a Jewish theme will give you a better understanding of the Jewish way of life and the pros and cons involved. There are plenty of excellent biographies and autobiographies about heroic Jews in the Holocaust. The Holocaust is a major element of the Jewish psyche and unites all Jews in a mutual understanding of the need to preserve and protect their religion and race. I recommend Exodus by Leon Uris.

There are other books that you can read if you are thinking of converting to Judaism including the various religious books and Bible commentaries but initially it is important to get a taste of the Jewish psyche, the Jewish way of life and the dedication needed if you decide to convert. The above recommended reading will give potential Jewish converts an insight into what awaits them as a Jew. Follow this link to the comlete reading list given by the Rabbinical Council of America. For a better idea of what a Jewish conversion involves you can read: What does a Jewish conversion involve?

You can check out my profile page for other articles I have written about the Jewish way of life at: Petalm.