What does it mean to be jewish?

Question

I heard, Borat is jewish. But I can't quite see that.

Answer 1

Jew
The word Jew comes from the Hebrew yehudi through the Greek ioudaios and Latin judaeus. It originally referred to male citizens of the southern kingdom of Judah, who were 'is jehuda, literally "men of Judah."

Today, who is a Jews? The most traditional and orthodox definition of "Jew" is any person whose mother (fathers don't count) was a Jew or any person who has converted to Judaism (what counts as a valid conversion differs from sect to sect).

Some regard Judaism as being a racial question, and this was part of the assumption behind the racial laws in Germany during the 1930s. There are particular genetic commonalities among Jews who can trace their Jewish lineage back a long ways, but that commonality is also shared with other, non-Jewish inhabitants of the region in and around modern-day Israel.

Some regard Judaism as a matter of nationality, especially now that there is a Jewish state of Israel. However, Jews can have any nationality and non-Jews can be Israeli citizens.

Other regard Judaism as being a matter of culture. One of the reasons for focusing on the cultural aspect of Judaism is the fact that many people consider themselves to be Jewish without also being religious. After all, if your mother is Jewish, then you are also Jewish - even if you are are an atheist or a Buddhist. Judaism, as a religion, also involves many cultural aspects beyond mere religious beliefs. For that reason, a person can readily regard herself as culturally Jewish without adhering to any traditional beliefs.

But Judaism is not just a cultural identity, because a person who follows Jewish practices and adopts Jewish beliefs is not a Jew if his mother was not a Jew or if he has not gone through conversion. Thus, Judaism must also be considered, fundamentally, a matter of religious identity as well.

One of the reasons why this debate is so contentious and important is that it involves the state of Israel. Any Jew can automatically become a citizen of Israel, thus deciding who is and is not a Jew becomes a political issue. Orthodox Jews have very rigorous requirements for the process, whereas Reform and Conservative Jews have easier requriements. Thus, Orthodox Jews do not acknowledge the "Jewishness" of anyone who has gone through a Reform or Conservative conversion process. Currently, the political standards in Israel for conversion are the same as those of the Orthodox Jews.

Answer 2

Borat is not Jewish and was never claimed to be Jewish, but Sacha Baron Cohen, the guy who plays him, is.

Answer 3

You are of the Jewish religion.
It doesn't mean you're of Israel nationality....you could be...but then you're also an Israeli.

Answer 4

if u belive as jew
all what i can say to you
u will go to hell
chrisians and muslim think in that way
cuz u don't accept jesus and Muhammed (pbut)

Answer 5

What do you mean by this question? And who is Borat? Can you please elaborate? Aaaargh! Please someone tell me who is Borat?