Is jewish a religion or a race? Ive heard people use it in both contents. I thought it was a religion?

Answer 1

There are no 'races' in humanity, it is a religion, actually its more like a set of customs for a lot of Jews these days, so maybe a culture would be the best way to describe it.

Answer 2

The two tend to be fairly interchangeable....

I mean you'll get people who are "Jewish" by birth but have given up on the religion... and people who have converted to Judaism but aren't technically Jews by birth..... but most, as far as I'm aware, are both.

That is to say being Jewish by blood is matrilinear.... If your mother was a Jew then you are a Jew. Since Jewish women tend to marry Jewish men on the whole... and they keep with the same religion... well.... there isn't much leakage out nor in.... Jews don't try to convert people either, which is why they're the only theistic religion I can actually respect.

Answer 3

Being Jewish is being part of a religion. It is a religion, not a race.

There are still some of the Jewish race left, but not enough to consider Jews to be a race. It is definitely a religion.

Answer 4

It is both a religion and a race of people

Answer 5

In a way both. I consider all people to be one race that of the human race. But Jews believe in the Old Testament and practice that. They can trace their lineage (or family history) back to Adam, through the 12 tribes of Israel.

Answer 6

Both. Usually a generic term for all Hebrews who are decended from the 12 Tribes of Israel... Jew comes from Judah... the Tribe of Judah. But it is also a religion... so both uses are correct.

Answer 7

Being Jewish is being part of a race.
Practicing Judaism is being a part of the religion.

Note: ethnic Jews are descendants of the Hebrew families of Judah and Benjamin. There are non-Jewish practicers of Judaism and there are Jews that do not practice Judaism

Answer 8

common it is obviously a religion ,the race? Semitic,Hebrews,or even a close to be Arabic?

Answer 9

I think it's a religion