Why is a person automatically "Jewish" by birth (religion & nationality) when no other religion does that?

Question

If a person family backround is "Jewish" that person is considered part of the Jewish Nationality and Religion. Why is this religion able to brand those as "Jewish" who do not come from Israel, and have no recent family religion ties to Judiasm.

Answer 1

Because for Jews being of Jewish blood derives from their Mother's side. Since in the biblical days, there were no DNA or blood tests to ascertain one's parentage, a son/daughter can always at least know who they have as a mother. A mother would know since she carries the child for 9 months. A woman who sleept with 2 men at the same time, would be hard pressed to discover the paternity of the child.

Yes Jewish as an ethnic group is confusing. For many years they kept to themselves and breeded among themselves to a high frequency that they consider themselves an ethnic group. Though what is problematic about this is that anyone can convert to Judaism. They are Black Jews, Asian Jews,etc. I would consider them a cultural group more or less.

Answer 2

Judaism is more of a race rather than a religion or nationality. Just like an African American would remain such his whole life no matter what culture he is raised in, so to once a Jew always a Jew. Judaism follows the maternal lineage as another answerer explained. I believe this is because in olden times one could only ascertain the maternal lineage and not the paternal lineage. Someone who is born to a Jewish mother can choose to be religious or not (Judaism as a religion) and can choose to associate with the State of Israel or not (Judaism as a nationality). Besides for being born into Judaism through a Jewish Mom one can also convert to Judaism. The process is long and arduous and involves a commitment to keep the laws of the Torah ("Old Testament"). Also one who is born Jewish and "converts out" is not included in Jewish practices for all practical purposes (such as being the tenth man for a quorum in prayer, etc.) however he always has the option of returning to his faith without having to go through the conversion process.

I hope this answers your question.

Answer 3

Judaism like Adam perhaps expanded and spread from one person, Abraham. His children became a family and the family grew into a community which grew as people married out into a nation. A nation that adhered to the Grand principles of Monotheism, when most nations were worshipping stones, animals and human gods. Jews were required to stay apart to keep their fragile and austere religion. It is always easier to have fun than to be restrained in different ways. Keeping aloof was the means to survive as a faith and a community and a nation.

Many times people who hated the jewish people attacked them, as they did not like the "small" little group to have the audacity to not mingle with the majority. Many times men were killed in these battles and only women and babies stayed alive. So, the sages decided that it is the mother who can really inculcate the religion to the children. Mothers control the future, while dads protected the present in those precarious days.

Judaism does not allow teaching their faith to others unless asked, as it is considered a privilege to know G-d Almighty. Just as you would not force your money or knowledge on others, you do not force your faith on others if you cherish and respect it.

I want you to know though, that I am a Muslim. I had to write this. Jewish nationalism without having G-d in the center is a new phenomenon. For centuries all Jewish folks were strict adherents to TRUE JUDAISM and depended on each other to spread the faith from one generation to the other. Thus Jewish lives from that perspective were key to keeping the name of G-d alive.

I hope this makes sense. Peace.

Answer 4

actually most other religions do the same, including hinduism, islam and jewdiasm. Jewish is not by the way a "nationality" as there are many jews from many different nations, nor is it a "race" as there are asian, black, caucasian, semite jews.. If you are BORN jewish, then you do have family religious ties to judiasm because you MOTHER was born jewish.

Answer 5

first off Islam dose the same thing.

if the father is Muslim the kids are considered born Muslim as well as others.

secondly being Jewish is more a nationality practicing Judaism is a religion.

According to Jewish law you are automatically Jewish if your mother was Jewish. No one can force you to practice any religion, but at the same time I dont see the point in being upset about it. What dose it matter to you how a religion/ethnicity counts its members?

Answer 6

Being born to a Jewish mother does not necessarily make one Jewish. If the child is not raised in a Jewish home and hasn't practiced Jewish traditions, that child has to "convert" to Judaism just the same as any other child.
The only difference from Catholicism is that a child born into a Jewish home does not have to be immersed in a mikvah (similar to Christian baptism) to become a Jew. He/she is born into a Jewish home.
When a Jew converts to Christianity, he/she is no longer considered a Jew by the Jewish community, but the Christian community continues to declare who is/isn't Jewish.
Why do you want to insult us by calling us "branded?" Have you read God's covenant with Abraham? We consider it the highest of honors to work with God to bring peace on earth.
Jews don't "brand" anyone as a Jew. It is entirely by choice. It's the Catholic Church who has "branded" us Jews. Read the history of the Catholic Church.

Answer 7

i have no idea i went my entire life thinking i was catholic because of my mothers birth right. It is stated that you follow your mothers religion. I just recently found out that I am Jewish my fathers side is jewish so i am jewish. I can't figure that out. Good question.

Answer 8

Tradition.

Answer 9

the Jewish people are called out by God as his special people.being born Jewish does not mean you pratice Judaism.

Answer 10

It was an early way for ancient Jews to distinguish themselves and keep themselves seperated from other cultures.