My father was Jewish and even though I have never practiced the Jewish faith I have always considered myself to be Jewish. When asked my nationality I state English, Irish and Jewish. My 17 year old daughter argues that being Jewish is a religion and not a heritage. Someone please help end this argument!! Thanks!!
2006-12-23 14:48:20 · 22 answers · asked by TAMMEESUE 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes. Simple, clear and right. Yes it is a faith and yes it is a nationality. Don't argue with your 17 year old daughter. The task of adolescence is separation. Just smile at her and tell her that someone who has raised NINE teenagers said the answer is 'yes' (I'm used to being blamed!)
2006-12-23 14:51:23 · answer #1 · answered by swarr2001 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is a question of both religion and ancestry.
All of the descendants of the line of Jacob are Jews. This means that contrary to popular belief you can not be part Jewish.
Judaism is the traditional religion of the Jews but non-Jews who practice Judaism are usually considered to be Jewish by religion but are not technically Jews.
The idea that being Jewish is a matter of Nationality is a common error. In fact much of Jewish history is themed around the fact that Jews have nearly always been without a nation. The only Jewish nation has been Israel.
2006-12-23 15:01:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her that the meaning of the word Jewish ("Yehudi", in Hebrew) is "of Judah's"; i.e- the Jewish people are the descents of the tribe of Judah.
Jewish people don't share blood only (http://www.aish.com/societywork/sciencenature/Jewish_Genes.asp), but a heritage, rich culture and traditions.
Tell her that most Jews in the world (and in the state of Israel) are non-observant people, and yet they are bonded to each other with non-religious ways.
And remember that nationalities do not necessarily have countries. While Israel is indeed a nation (a nation of Jews. Christian and Muslim Israelis seldom define themselves as Israelis by nationality), the Jewish nation has been a nation long before it had a country.
2006-12-27 07:16:06 · answer #3 · answered by yotg 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, please! The idea that Judaism is a nationality is ridiculous. First of all, ask this simple question - can you CONVERT to Irish? Can you convert to any nationality? Of course not!
Judaism is a religion, many convert to it, some do not practice it but still SAY they are Jewish. In my opinion, you are what you actually practice as far as religion goes.
As for definition of nationality, however, there can be no question. You may be Israeli, but you cannot be Jewish by nationality (remember that Israel has many Arabs and Christians living there as well - they are NOT Jewish by Nationality either!)
2006-12-26 05:07:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are descended from one of the sons of Jacob, that is a Hebrew, then you are Jewish, by heritage.
If your father practiced the Jewish religious faith, but was not of a Jewish family by birth, then you are not ethnically a Jew.
If you don't practice the Jewish religious faith, then you aren't a Jew by religion.
Jewish means both a people group, and a religion.
2006-12-23 14:57:09 · answer #5 · answered by guitar teacher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's both! The Jewish faith was what kept them in tact during to 2000 years of dispersion all over the world. Their national idenity within the world was established in 1947. However, in the 2000 year mention above, their national idenity was perserved by God. Cause he said in the last days, he would re-gather them back to their homeland.
In Ezekiel the Lord said he would regather them. Thats "old" news now! In 1948, the Nation of Israel was established.
The Bible says that they would reclaim the city of Jerusalem. Thats "old" news! In 1967, Israel reclaimed Jerusalem.
2006-12-23 15:00:02 · answer #6 · answered by n_007pen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is both. God established the Jews as His chosen people and gave them a nation, Isreal. Jewish religion and nationality go hand in hand, even if the religion is not practiced and even if not living in Isreal.
2006-12-23 15:00:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Judaism is a religion, Hebrew is an ethnicity. The word "Jewish" can be applied to both, much like the word marriage can be both secular and religious.
2006-12-23 14:56:58 · answer #8 · answered by neil s 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its like being a citizen of a nation.
A person can be born Jewish or can can join though conversion they can also lose membership by joining another religion.
2006-12-23 14:57:33 · answer #9 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a religion. And only a religion. Yes, I know some of my own would like to believe that we are a people, but we are not. Jews have brought so much other blood into our line as to make this a non question. You have fair skinned blondes to to darker skinned Ethiopians.
2006-12-23 14:56:25 · answer #10 · answered by know_it_all_NOT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋