If you are considering conversion to Karaite Judaism you must begin living by the words of the Torah. It is important to begin doing this as early as possible so you already have the mitzvot (commandments) internalized before you convert. In addition, one must become familiar with – and accept the principles of – the Tuv Ta’am (Declaration of Faith).
If you wish to convert to Karaite Judaism you must accept these three fundamental principles.1
1. Believe in יהוה as the only God and renounce all others.
2. Believe in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) as the words of יהוה and the only religious authority – renounce all other writings, doctrines, as creeds as words of men.
3. Study and keep the Tanakh while striving to interpret the Tanakh according to its peshat (plain meaning).
In addition, you will also need to accept the principles expressed in the ancient Karaite Vow:
By the covenant of Mount Sinai and the statutes of Mount Horev I will keep the holy appointed times of יהוה according to the New Moon and the finding of the Aviv in the Holy Land of Yisrael, when possible.1
All males who wish to convert to Karaite Judaism must be circumcised. Circumcision can be performed by any qualified medical professional.
Finally, when you are ready to formally convert it is important that you join yourself to יהוה by vowing before other Yisraelites that “יהוה is my God and Israel is my people.”
——————–
1Nehemia Gordon. “Conversion FAQ.” karaite-korner.org. Karaite-Korner, n.d. [http://www.karaite-korner.org/conversion_faq.htm]
