Society views the father's heritage/religion as the dominant one.
So for the most part if a Jew male marries a non-Jew, the kids will be raised as Jews and identify as Jews (because it's hard not to with a last name like Goldstein)
So by instituting the matrilineal descent laws, if a non-Jew male marries a Jew, she feels that it's her duty to raise the kids as Jews and the kids knowing this information will identify as Jews.
So in the end, whatever the outcome, a union between a Jew and a non-Jew ends in Jewish kids.
2007-01-18 17:38:37 · 4 answers · asked by Julio Cesar C 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
You posted this question elsewhere.
The answer is no. The matralineal descent laws are a measure of compassion toward women who are raped and their children. Such children are automatically accepted into the society as Jews.
Your understanding of Jewish law on this subject is (probably deliberately) flawed. Jewishness is only passed through the mother. Children of Jewish fathers and gentile women are not accepted in the Jewish community.
I wish you were wrong about these laws causing our population to increase, but it's unfortunately causing the opposite effect. Our population is decreasing as a result of Jewish men intermarrying and fathering non-Jewish children.
I am not answering this for your benefit, because you are clearly posting because you are a bigot trying to stir the pot of anti-semitism. I am posting for the benefit of honest people who read this trying to find out the truth.
2007-01-19 06:08:11 · answer #1 · answered by MaryBridget G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, the matrilineal descent was just smart thinking. There were no DNA tests 4000 years ago. If the baby came from a Jewish mother - it was Jewish. Easy as that.
No conspiracy theories necessary. Besides, Reform Judaism isn't matrilineal so your "made to increase the # of Jews" theory just doesn't float. Sorry, buddy.
2007-01-22 00:46:35 · answer #2 · answered by harassanoy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's interesting. I don't actually agree that society views the father's heritage as the dominant one--that's quite a bit of blatant sexism by society if it is so, and I don't want to believe it.
However, yes, most successful religions do depend on the adherents having lots of kids and raising them within the faith. Look at the Catholics and Mormons for a story of happy success. And then look at the Shakers for just the opposite. :)
2007-01-19 01:45:48 · answer #3 · answered by nyemelis 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thought a child should follow the father's nationality, tradition etc....
2007-01-19 02:49:03 · answer #4 · answered by jemmie_2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋