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Question
#55607. rlaj
asks:
Does being Jewish mean you are a member of a race or simply a member of the Jewish faith?
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Arpeggionist
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How many times could I explain this on this site?
Contrary to Hitler's beliefs (and to those of most non-Jewish Europeans throughout history), being Jewish means either one is born to a Jewish mother, and thus has a certain religious status from birth, or that one has converted to Judaism. Whether or not one actually follows the Jewish rituals and traditions and customs is entirely a matter of choice. Not only are the Jewish people not a race, but we are so mixed genetically with every community of people in the world that defining Jews as a race is utterly rediculous. As it is there is very little genetic variety in the human race, why complicate things further?
Mar 02 05, 12:50 PM
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rlaj
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Thanks Arpegg, I have not seen this discussed on this site. I was involved in a conversation recently regarding this topic. I was hoping you would answer for me. I understand.
Mar 02 05, 2:24 PM
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eytank
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According to Orthodox Jewry, Judiasm is not a choice. If your mother is Jewish, than you are Jewish. Regardless of whether you practice or not, Orthdox consider you Jewish as long as there is an unroken chain of female mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers ect...
Are Jews a race? No. But it is more than a religion.
Mar 02 05, 3:02 PM
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Arpeggionist
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You misunderstood me. My definition of a Jewish person is the Orthodox one. I will however bring people's attention to the fact that - as Leon Botstein puts it - "I shouldn't have to tell you that there are many kinds of Jew." There are certain religious matters of tradition and ritual, and whether people follow those practices (as I do) is entirely a matter of choice. Judaism is a religion, and not a race. A Jew is one who is born into that religion, whether or not he/she practices the religion or adheres to its principles.
Mar 02 05, 3:38 PM
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Buck540
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Could a person convert to Judiasm and be accepted by you Arpegg, and the Orthodox community, as a Jew?
Mar 02 05, 6:09 PM
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eytank
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According to Orthodox Jewry, a person who wants to convert is only considered Jewish if it is an Orthodox coversion. Most of the Orthodox Jewry do not consider coversions done by a conservative or reformed Rabbi a good conversion.
Once the person has been properly converted, they are 100% Jewish and it is considered wrong by the Torah (bible)to remind the Geir (convert) of his past.
Mar 02 05, 6:42 PM
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Arpeggionist
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Once a person converts properly, there is absolutely nothing that separates them from the rest of the Jewish communities. The same traditions and rituals apply. As it says in the books: "One law shalt thou have with the strangers living among you."
Mar 03 05, 3:15 AM
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eytank
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It is interesting that the word Gair both means a convert and a stranger. If we were really supposed to bring a convert into the Jewish community, he really shouldn't be reffered to as a stranger.
Mar 03 05, 6:04 AM
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tankz
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Well, Judaism is a religion/faith, not a race. Races are caucasian, black, oriental, and all types of mixes between.
Mar 03 05, 7:05 AM
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SOTHC
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If you are Jewish are you a cut above the rest?
Mar 03 05, 7:39 AM
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Arpeggionist
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If you are Jewish it means the traditions of the Jewish faith apply to you, nothing more. It is not a race, though it is often mistaken for one.
Mar 03 05, 9:05 AM
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