What is a Jew?

Question

I found out that I was a Jew when I was diging back in my family history and I want to know what one is.

Answer 1

As an ancient people, Jews were referred to as Hebrews or Israelites in the old and new testament. The term "gentile" is a term used to identify somebody who is not Jewish.

For a modern definition, the 3 major sects of Judaism define it slightly differently.

Orthodox:
A Jew is a person born of a Jewish mother. If your Jewish heritage depends on a male ancestor, then you are not Jewish. You can become Jewish by convertering under an Orthodox Rabbi.

Conservative:
Same thing but you will be recognized if you convert under either an Orthodox or Conservative Rabbi.

Reform:
You are Jewish if either of your parents are Jewish. You can convert under an Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform Rabbi.

Conversion to Judaism under an Orthodox Rabbi gives you what is called "right of return" to Israel because you are considered by the State of Israel to not only be religiously Jewish, but also ethnically Jewish.

Answer 2

A lot of people here are telling you that it is a member of a religion. While I won't deny that, there are lots of people who call themselves Jews who are not religious at all. That is because they consider themselves to be ews from a cultural standpoint.

If you just found out that you are Jewish -- then you probably aren't. For example, I doubt that you practice the faith (otherwise you would know that you were a Jew). You probably found out that one of your ancestors was a Jew. Many Jews do not consider someone else ot be a Jew unless they convert, or unless their mother was a Jew. So, if you great grandfather was a Jew -- you are not one. But if your mother's mother's mother was a Jew -- then (at least culturally) you can call yourself a Jew.

If you need to know more about it -- move to New York City. After living there ten years, I can honestly say that most non-Jews in NYC know more about judaism than Hews I've met outside of NYC.

Answer 3

Jews are an ethnic group that originate from the Middle East. If you believe the Bible, the Jews were God's chosen people at one time, and Jesus Christ (who is the Son of God) is born of Jewish parents. While it is true that most Jews practice the religion of Judaism, not all do. However, you can be of any ethnic background on the planet and still be considered a Jew if you practice Judaism. Jews who practice Judaism believe in God, but they don't believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God -- they believe He was a prophet. Does that help a little?

Answer 4

A Jew is someone whos mother is Jewish and descends from the ancient Hebrews who received the old testament from God. They are nice people who dont go around saying about others what some stupid people on this page said about Jewish people. We have a very rich tradition and heritage dating back over 3000 years. We are the oldest religion out there and we have not watered down our religion since its inception over 3000 yrs ago. It is something to be proud of and if I were you I would research Judaism from an unbiased source. There are too many people out there who are too willing to discourage people from doing whats right for them. I just cant stand ignorance. Anyways good luck go drink a lchaim.(Jewish for make a toast)

Answer 5

Jews (Hebrew: יְהוּדִים, Yehudim; Yiddish: ייִדן, Yiden) are followers of Judaism or, more generally, members of the Jewish people (also known as the Jewish nation, or the Children of Israel), an ethno-religious group descended from the ancient Israelites and from converts who joined their religion. The term also includes those who have undergone an officially recognized formal process of religious conversion to Judaism. The current Jewish population is over 14.5 million, the majority of whom live in the United States and Israel.

Answer 6

It depends on whose definition you go by. I think Ben Gurion said, "A Jew is a Jew is A Jew and I can't see why anyone who isn't would want to claim to be one." I think Golda Meir changed it to anyone born of a Jewish mother who didn't adopt another faith ie you can be atheist and still be a Jew but you can't be Christian and claim to be Jewish.
Biblicaly, It used to be paternal in the early days, but maybe after Esther (not sure) it changed to being maternally inheritable.
Technically speaking if going back in your family tree mother to mother's mother...there was a Jewish woman then you'd be considered Jewish.

Answer 7

A Jew is any person whose mother was a Jew or any person who has gone through the formal process of conversion to Judaism.

So do you still think you are one?

Read up on the subject.

Answer 8

Someone who subscribes to Jewish beliefs of has Jewish blood (Mother). A Jew need not be religious, he or she can still subscribe to the cutural aspects of Judaism without practicing the religion. On a similar not, lots of people calim to be Christian without espousing the tenets of Christianity. That begs the question, what is a Christian?

Answer 9

Its a person of Hebrew decent. You would be a decendent of Moses, Abraham, through other Jewish ancestors. Or you could also be a member of the religion.

Answer 10

Someone who believes in Judaism and who's mother is a Jew (or who converts).