Why do some people think it is a insult to call a Jew a Jew?

Question

It is no insult at all. I am a Jew. That is what I am, so why not call me that? If someone asks me my religion, sometimes I will say ''I am Jewish'' and sometimes I will say ''I am a Jew''.

music girl------------using the term jew girl, instead of Jewish girl, or just plain Jew, is used as an insult.---and using small j and not big J adds to the insult.

SlayDbeas----to use the Term Jewish girl is perfectly alright. It is the jew girl I am referring to as being insulting. It, and jew boy, or just ''hey boy'', or the ''N'' word have always only been used to show contempt.

Answer 1

Because we don't hear the word Jew in a positive light often enough. For most of my life I was afraid it was offensive to ask if someone were a Jew -- I always used "Jewish" instead. When I first started attending classes to learn about Judaism, it was like a breath of fresh air to hear people referring to themselves and others as Jews. I'm now a Jew-by-choice and am proud to call myself a Jew!
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Answer 2

Being called a Jew typically is an insult directed at people who are stingy and greedy. Especially when it comes to money. It stems from the fact that a lot of tax men in ancient times were Jewish, and that Jewish culture, which began as a nomadic culture, has core values that include saving things that may be useful, and not being wasteful. Stereotypes about that have evolved from that have become the insult you hear today. Now, not all Jewish people consider "Jew" an insult. I suppose it depends on how the word is used that makes it either offensive or not. I would say that unless you want to be perceived as ignorant by these people, I would avoid using such a word as an insult. The respectful term for a Jewish person is Hebrew. That is both the name for the culture and the name of the language they speak.

Answer 3

Well, didn't you think it insulting just a minute ago when you answered the woman who said, "Jew girl," instead of "Jewish girl"? Maybe it was just a typo, ever think of that? What about an "ish" makes the difference between an insult and an appropriate term?

And what told you that it wasn't a typo? You are using this question to explain that people are too sensitive in thinking "Jew" is an insult, and yet your own sensitivity is perfectly reasonable... um... pot, meet kettle.

Perhaps everyone should ask people what they mean by things like this instead of jumping to conclusions, then there would have been no need of your reaction to her q, or the reactions of others that have prompted your asking this q.

Answer 4

Chani is just upset my friend a jewish girl ,Nia is my roommate ..While I'm a muslim and I call Nia a jew ..Chani , just because You discriminate muslim and other religion doesn't mean Nia have to be like you. Leave her out of this.
It's a hypocritic act and an act of a sore loser to drag someone as nice and sweet as her into this. You know she's still offended when you deny her being in the same room as i am AND saying that it is doubtful For a Jewish to be in d same room with a person of other religion.

Answer 5

It's not WHAT is said... but HOW it is said & MEANT.

Try this exercise:
Say the word "door." Nothing, right?
Now say "door" with hatred and loathing. See how it comes out with a different meaning and focus?

The same thing with the word, "Jew" or any other derogatory word.

When it is spit out like poison, it is construed as such.
When ridiculed, it becomes a bad thing for many to be associated with.

But to the Jewish... the word "Jew" is a way of life, a great feeling, a PROUD feeling. It all depends on who's saying it, how it is said, and the way it is interpreted.

Be proud of your culture, my friend, and of your religion. Never mind the words - they are just that, anyway... and ENJOY your heritage.

Thanks for writing and Good Luck to you!

Answer 6

Thank goodness it is coming to that, because 50 years ago you could not say "Jew" unless you were a Jew. Jewish was barely acceptable, why, I don't know. I also remember from school that the name Jesus was almost never mentioned, and it is today often and in many contexts. Strange; and interesting question.

Answer 7

Probably because they have heard it being used in anti-Semitic statements and then they get afraid the word itself might be anti-Semitic. I also think that maybe some people who feel using this word is an insult somewhere in their mind think that being Jewish was something bad and they should not mention this "bad thing" about the person. Well I think this is what is really an insult.

Answer 8

It has been used as derogatory for a long time when I hear Jew I feel the same. I also think it is proper to call on or one's self Jewish.

Answer 9

I think it has something to do with the Nazis. Everyone hears how the Nazis referred to "The Jew" being this or that and I think people just make that connection now even if it's subconscious. They think if the Nazis used the word it must somehow be insulting.

Answer 10

Shalom Chani the Jew. Ani ohev otach! Lahitraot.