What are the bottom line beliefs necessary to call yourself a Jew?

Question

From what I gather you have to accept that Jesus died for our sins as the bottom line belief necessary to call yourself a Christian, but what does it take to be a Jew? (serious answers only please)

I am not asking for all the beliefs, just the critical aspect(s)

Answer 1

Speaking as a Jew, Morey000 is correct. There are two paths (as it were) to calling yourself a Jew: 1) Your mother has to be Jewish (accepted by all branches of Judaism). If your father only is Jewish you are considered Jewish by Reform Jews but not Orthodox or Conservative Jews. Note that you do not have to be practicing, observe any particular Jewish laws, etc.--it's the parents' religion which counts; 2) You convert. Again, Orthodox conversions are recognized by all branches and rabbis; Conservative conversions are recognized by Conservative and Reform branches and rabbis; and Reform conversions are recognized by all Reform and some Conservative rabbis.

Required beliefs are, in a sense, just as confusing. You don't have to believe in G-d to be Jewish (as anti-intuitive as that may be). Judaism works the opposite from many other religions. First, you belong; then you behave (that is, follow the mitzvot, or laws); then, hopefully, you believe (in G-d). This is the opposite from Christianity as I understand it: first you believe in G-d; then you behave in accordance with what that belief system requires; then you belong (decide to join a church).

Having said all this, one thing is clear: although you do not have to believe in G-d to be Jewish, if you believe that Jesus was the Messiah, if you believe in the Trinity, you **are not** and **cannot be** Jewish. This isn't just my opinion, it's the opinion of every Jew that I know or have ever heard of. Only those people who call themselves Messianic Jews (or other terms) believe that they are Jewish. From my end of things, that's like someone saying they're from Mars--I'm thrilled that you believe that, and you can believe whatever you want, but that doesn't make you a Martian.

Answer 2

It doesn't work that way in Judiasm.

You are considered a Jew if your mother was Jewish.
You can practice Judiasm- without being a jew.

There is a conversion process that one can go through, however it's not based on a single belief. It's about learning the traditions and laws of Judiasm and accepting them. Each Rabbi or Congregation may have a different set of what they consider being Jewish- so you can find the spiritual leader or community of your choice. There is no hierarchy of Jewish leaders (like a pope) which sets the rules for everyone else.

Answer 3

Judaism is not so much about beliefs as it is about being a member of the tribe. You don't so much convert as become adopted in. Normally, this is when someone falls in love with a Jew. It is especially critical for a shiksa (gentile woman) who falls in love with a Jewish man, since Jewishness is carried by the mother, not the father. ("Mama's baby, Daddy's maybe.") If a Jewish man marries a gentile and she does not convert, their children will not be Jews.

Answer 4

Well, it depends on what you mean by Jew. I've always heard people divided into PRACTICING Jews and then just CULTURAL Jews.

If your parents are Jewish, I would say that you're certainly a cultural Jew.

A practicing religious Jew normally eats kosher, attends Jewish worship services, and celebrates Jewish holidays.

Judaism is interesting - I couldn't just decide to be a Jew without Jewish parents. Being God's chosen people is certainly a lot to live up to!!

Answer 5

It takes being born to a Jewish mother. Other than that, nothing is fixed. There are three divisions of Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform/Reconstructionist. Each division believes in the Torah to a greater or lesser degree. If I had to say something, I'd say belief in the One God.

Answer 6

I think Zionist Jews are atheist, Jewish Jews believe in a one true god, just not Jesus

Answer 7

Yahoo! Answers - How do I become a Jew?

Answer 8

People are BORN jews.You have to be born-again to be a Christian. You have to be born a jew to be a jew.