Why do the Jewish classify themselves as a race?

Question

So I'm watching Shindler's List on Christmas (I know, not exactly a festive uplifting movie for the holiday...but, eh, I like the film).
I realize a lot of people have asked whether or not Jews are a race and/or a religion. I've read them and they make various points for being a race or a religion or both. My question is WHY? Why do people who beleive in Judism and live in America or England for example, describe themselves as Jewish instead of American or English? (I realize not everyone does this) Why do you choose to identify yourselves as Jewish? Is there a Jewish law that states that you must identify yourselves as such?? I identify myself as an American (I was born here and I live here) or Minnesotan (eventhough I wasn't born in the state) if I need to get specific, (but I usually don't feel the need), I don't define myself by my spiritual beliefs (mostly because they can't be defined by any "set" religious doctorine).

Answer 1

For many years European Jews were not allowed to be citizens of any country. They were relegated to ghettos and were locked in at night. They were only allowed certain occupations that others were unwilling to do. It was the Roman Catholic Church who created the idea of a Jewish "race" by banning them from the Church. Jews were killed for not converting, but those that converted were never allowed to be trusted Christians.

Jews today are very proud of any nationality because they were denied citizenship for so many centuries, but we are still a nation of people and have dual citizenship. I am a Jewish American or an American Jew.

Jews have been in a diaspora for 2000 years which means they have lived all over the world. Jews in China look like Chinese, Jews in Europe look like Europeans, Jews in Africa look like Africans, Jews in the U.S. look like Americans.
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Answer 2

I don't know why anyone that is a citizen of any nation describes themself as other than being that nationality.

But to answer your question, Jews are a race descending from the tribes of Israel. However, while descendents of the tribes are Jewish, not everyone that is Jewish is descended from that tribe. You can come from elsewhere and be Jewish.

Judaism is a race and a religion.

Answer 3

Jews are very proud of their identity and heritage. They are God's first chosen people, set apart from the rest of the world to be the caretakers of God's word, scriptures and prophets.
They were supposed to be examples to the rest of the world, and be the teachers and givers of God's word. That didn't work out too well
God made them promises, and He will keep them, but the new covenant gives equal inheritance and standing in God's family to any and all who believe in Jesus as Savior. The problem is, they don't believe this.

Romans 11:8 "Just as it is written:

"God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see
"And ears that they should not hear,
"To this very day."

Their blindness is only in part; they can still be saved by believing on Jesus.
God is not finished with the Jewish people.

Answer 4

What defines a person as a race? Is it color? Is it nationality?
A race is a group of people set as having a specific way of life, or bond that separates them from others. Jews were in fact God's original people. They separate themselves in that manner in order to remain known as that. Unfortunately since they denied the Christ when he came to save them and us, they will remain separate until his return and most will suffer Through tribulation in order to prove their faith.
If you are going to separate yourself as a specific race, why not identify as Jewish. To be true Jewish is not just a religion, but a way of life. They way they eat, talk, live, love, marry. They have very different ways of doing things than standard America. I say to be known a the race of "Jewish" originally called "God's people or chosen ones" they have attempted to make a great stand for God and remain separate or different from the rest of the sin filled world.

Answer 5

Judaism is a faith, in simple terms like Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, Paganism etc. you do no longer ought to have come a particular place to be a member, or convert to any of those religions. it incredibly is incredibly no longer a "race" till you refer of path fullyyt to "Saphardic" Jews as they are the unique Jewish human beings.

Answer 6

leckschei...About Me
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I'm unsure. Probably has something to do with what they all believe in.
Atheist's believe there is not God
Agnostics don't know or care if there is a God
Jews, Christians, and Muslims (usually) are devout in their belief in God, Yahweh, Allah (etc) and are willing to die or kill for that belief. Funny thing is Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Muslim, not sure what if any difference there is) are all apart of the same religious tree (at least in my opinion). Belief in similar stories and one God (granted they call him different names)

**********And there we have your answer Lechscheid, your own.

Answer 7

Really its because they have No distinction between their personal life and religious life. God, to a Jew, is life. So they are very proud in being a religion having a historical covenant with God himself.

You know, I have always thought that same question! It bothers me when people say "I'm a quarter Jew"...my response is "and so your 3/4 Catholic, Baptist, Methodist etc???"

Answer 8

We are (or should be) a closed genetic group, with different cultures, values, thoughts, genes, etc. than most Americans. It is the one thing that seperates us from most Americans. And there is no 'law', but the Talmud teaches that it is a good thing.

Answer 9

Judaism is the name of their religion, Jewish refers to both culture and religion.

Answer 10

jewish people are chosen by God as His children...they were split up during many wars over hundreds of years ago...jewish people are a race...a race with their own guidlines and regulations...all the jews i know are planing ot go back to where they first came from Isreal...which was taken over buy Ishmales decedents...Abraham had two sons...Isaac..and Ishmael..Isaac is his wifes son...Ishmael is their handmaides son...Isaac is what started the jews...Ishmael is who started the isralies (muslims) so now after all these years their still fighting over land..