- Family and Society
- Conversion
Convert Changing Nusah
Question
I am having a difficult time finding anyone with an answer to my question below, mostly because my access to Talmidei Chachamim is limited because of the community in which I live.
I daven in a shul where at least half of the members daven nusach Sephardi, while the other half davens Ashkenaz. When individuals say mourner’s Kaddish, they are allowed to use their own nusach, and we have both types of siddurim. However, the official nusach is Ashkenaz.
My wife and I underwent conversion together a little over a year ago through an Orthodox Beit Din. I wanted to observe nusach Sephardi, because I feel a greater connection to the Sephardi minhagim than the Askenazi minhagim. However, it was suggested to me to follow the official nusach of the shul and daven nusach Ashkenaz. Unfortunately, as time goes on, my desire to follow nusach Sephardi grows stronger.
Short of moving to another city with a Sephardic shul, would it be a violation of Halacha to follow nusach Sephardi, at least privately? Would it be proper to change my Tzitziot, Mezuzot, Tefillin, to Nusach Sephardi?
Answer
You can switch to Sepharadi Nusach, and of course change Tefillin and Mezuzot, if you like it is possible because the reason we do not change is "Lo Titosh Torat Imecha", do not leave the teachings of your mother, and it doesn't apply to our case.
Rabbi Chaim Katz

Wish to convert
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 3 Kislev 5764

False Conversions
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 22 Iyyar 5765

Marriage
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 4 Kislev 5765

Converting leshem Shamayim
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 25 Adar 5767

Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.

Finding a Rav
4 Cheshvan 5763

Scotch Whiskey
14 Kislev 5763

Yoatzot Halachot
15 Kislev 5763

Becoming a Ger
1 Kislev 5763
priestly blessing
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyyar 16, 5782
Tenach Melochim
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyyar 16, 5782

Trimming the beard
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 16, 5782
