Jew or Jewish?

Question

I always thought the term Jew is offensive.
Jewish is the proper term. But seems like everyone is using the term Jew instead. Is "Jew" an offensive term?

Answer 1

Like some others here have already indicated, "Jew" is a noun, and "Jewish" is an adjective. This may be confusing because words like "Christian" and "Muslim" can be used as both.

You know, I actually once got into an argument about this with my Turkish instructor. You see, in Hebrew, the word for Jew or Jewish is Yehudi (also meaning "Judean," which is where the term derrives from). So check this out... Yehudi is a word also in Arabic, and in Turkish. But in Turkish, the word took on a negative connotation (meaning that hatred towards Jews was so pervasive that the word "Jew" became obscene). So those responsible for the reformation of the Turkish language (in the 1920's, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal and as part of his program of "modernization", the Turkish language went from being written in Persian/Arabic script, as in Ottoman times, to Roman letters, and many foreign loan words were purged from the language) coined a new term for Jews - Musevi (as in, those who follow the religion of Moses, "Musa" in Turkish). Indeed, the Turkish Jewish community has adopted this word for itself (prayer books in the synagogues bear stamps marking them as property of the local musevi community).

Now I believe that their hearts were in the right place when they coined this term. They were trying to protect the Jewish community from an old hatred. Because "Jew" in Turkish called to mind all these idiotic stereotypes, calling them "Moseans" (or however you would render "musevi") would generate a more positive mental image. The problem is this: "Yehudi" is our name for us. And you can't tell us that our own name means something bad. The problem isn't in the name itself; the problem is in the bigoted mindset that assumes that "yehudi" is synonymous with all these negative qualities that have been unjustly attributed to Jews since Ottoman times. Personally, I advocate the idea that the Jews in Turkey should reclaim their rightful name, much the way American Blacks have taken the n-word and appropriated it to themselves. By accepting a new name assigned to them by the powers they be, they are implictly accepting the notion that there was something wrong with their own name for themselves. To sum up, if my name provokes a negative reaction from small-minded bigots, it's not my name that needs to be changed, it's the attitudes of those bigots! Wouldn't you agree? My instructor didn't agree, or else he didn't understand.

So, "Jew" is a noun, and it's not an offensive term. There are offensive terms for "Jew." "Kike" is a very offensive term - it comes from the Polish for "circle". Back in the days when most people were illiterate, non-Jews would often sign by making an "X". From what I understand, Jews, not wanting to sign with a mark ressembling a cross, would make a circle. Hence the name.

The word "Jew" is not offensive in and of itself. It's all a matter of usage. Someone who shouts "JEEEEWWWWW!!!" as he passes by a Jew in a car (this has happened to me in the United States and in Hungary -- in Hungary, it was "ZSIDO!"), obviously they're intending it as an insult. For them, it's the same case as in Turkey, where the very word "Jew" brings negative images to mind, because they're bigots. In addition, some phrases with "Jew" in them are ethnic slurs. For example, the verb "to Jew someone," or "to Jew someone down" - both refer to unethical business practices. The word "gyp" as a verb or a noun is a similar ethnic slur, aimed at the Gypsies, which is itself a politically incorrect term for Romani. Not many people realize the origin of this term.

Thus ends our lesson for today. :) Jewish is an adjective. To call someone "a Jewish" is grammatically incorrect. "Jewish person" is not (though it bugs me when people go out of their way to avoid the word "Jew" because it implies that they consider "Jew" to be an insult, which they shouldn't). "Jew" is the noun, but used in certain ways, including as an adjective, a Jew-_____ where _____ can be, for example, a profession, it can be offensive. For example, to talk about a Jew who runs a shop, there is nothing offensive in the term "Jewish merchant;" "Jew merchant" smacks of anti-Semitism, though it may be nothing more than a grammatical mistake if the speaker's native tongue is not English.

I hope this clarifies things for you. (:

Answer 2

It's not a matter of offense, it is a matter of grammar. The word "Jew" is a noun, and it indicated a person of the Jewish faith. The word "Jewish" is an adjective. For Christianity as well as Islam, the noun and adjective are the same ("Christian" and "Muslim," respectively).

That being said, the term "Jew" has taken on some negative connotations -- it can bring to mind racial or religious epithets and prejudice -- but that does not necessarily mean that the person using the term "Jew" means it offensively.

Answer 3

you're suitable in questioning that so-called "Messianic Jews" who have self assurance that Jesus/Yeshua substitute into the messiah are no longer Jewish, no longer Jews, do no longer stick to Judaism. it particularly is authentic of all people who believes Jesus/Yeshua is the 'saviour' or 'messiah'. Judaism, the Jewish faith, is fairly distinctive. It includes being messianic i.e. it believes there'll be a destiny messiah, and there are 23 particular prophecies proper to this. the assumption in a destiny messiah would not incorporate any thought that he would be divine, carry out miracles. or ought to be worshipped. And the messiah isn't the numerous middle of Judaism - remote from it. maximum Jews not often think of relating to the messiah different than whilst Christians are happening relating to the priority. Judaism is concentrated around a thank you to stay this existence interior the superb genuine way. Judaism has branches, inclusive of Chassidic, contemporary Orthodox, Reform, Reconstructionist, Liberal, Conservative, Masorti - however the basics are plenty the comparable and fairly distinctive from "Messianic Judaism" "Jews for Jesus" "Christian Jews" etc. ALL Jews, of all branches, are Jewish.

Answer 4

Any term is offensive if used in the wrong way... Jew is a noun, if used as a verb, it is a slur.

Answer 5

I thought the term "Jew" was a singular for a Jew. And when plural, for Jews.

Jew = 1 person.
Jews = plural.

>>>????? Correct me, if I am darn wrong.

Answer 6

"Jew" is a noun accepted by everyone ("I am a Jew"). "Jewish" is an adjective ("I am a Jewish person").

Using "Jew" as an adjective ("a Jew lawyer"), or a verb ("to Jew someone") is considered an ethnic insult.

http://wsu.edu/~brians/errors/jew.html

Answer 7

Oh yes