Why can't non-Jews comprehend the fact that Judaism is not a race, but a religion?

Question

You can be black and be Jewish, you can be Chinese and be Jewish, you can be Hispanic or look like a Muslim and still be Jewish. A convert can convert to become a Jew regardless of his color.
You cannot convert to being white if you are black, nor can you convert into Asian if you are white and etc.
I have heard of the argument that you can only be Jew if your mother is a Jew; hence Judaism is a race. But this implies to having a Jewish faith and not as being a part of the race. As I mentioned before you can convert to Judaism if your mother is not Jewish and you would like to pursue the Jewish faith as your faith.
Judaism is and always will be a religion.

Lilmissykato, you have mentioned about the DNA criteria that makes people Jewish. It is true, I will not dispute this fact, however, this was a result from the Torah that urged the Jews to marry people of the same faith, i.e. Jews. It is relatively a new phenomena that Jews marry outside their faith, which started in the latter part of the 19th century. Hence, Jewish people and their descendants would have DNA that would link them to other Jews. Especially, since many Jews married their cousins to preserve the faith or married people from the same village when they were forced to live in ghettos and traveling outside those ghettos would mean a certain death. Thus, Jews have some DNA characteristics that are similar. Also, tribes that have descendant from the Jews also married within their own people and thus have DNA that is similar to the rest of the Jewish people.

People, think of it this using your understanding then Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism are also races. Catholic church used to kill those people who would convert outside their church, just look at the history of Europe. Hence, it would serve to understand that Catholics are a race of people. If you were not born Catholic then you were a pagan and a person was either killed or forcibly converted. In Islam you can only leave the faith through death. Does that make Islam a race? All religions have some characteristics that make them unique and only apply to their groups. Then why is it that only Jews are regarded as a race?

To those that say all Jews are Jews because they derived from the tribe of Judea, my friends, you are wrong. I am a Jew, but I am also a Kohan ( or descendant of the priests from the Aaron the Kohan). But yet, Kohanim (plural) are descendants from the tribe of Levi. Hence, at one time my ancestors were Levis and not from the tribe of Judah. As Allonyoav points out, “In the Book of Esther it refers to Mordechai, the uncle of Esther and Nasi of the Sanhedrin as "Ish Yehudi", a "Jewish man", but he is from the tribe of Benjamin, and was not from Judea or from the tribe of Judah- thus even then the Yehudi was used as a generic term for ANYONE from Am Yisrael (The nation of Israel), and not just those from the tribe of Judah. “
Hence, it goes to show that judaism is a religion and not a race.

Cacaoatl, as I mentioned not all Jews are descendants from the tribe of Judah, I myself, and descendant of the tribe of Levi. But you used interesting points and I would like to answer them. There is not a single person who does not trace his lineage. My friends who are non-Jews have family trees that go back several generations. Dalai Lama traces his keen back to the first one. Muslims trace back their lineages hence; you have the Shiias and the Sunnis. Yet, my friends who are Baptists and have family trees are not considered a race. Yet, the Torah that mentions both the Jewish (and those who have not accepted the Jewish faith) family lineages is considered a race. In the Hindu holy writings they to trace the lineages of their gurus. Just like many European monarchs can trace their lineages back to the first sit. Does it make monarchs a separate race from the subjects that they governed?

Cacaoatl, in your second argument you have mentioned Zionism as your understanding that Judaism is a race. However, Judaism is not unique in that aspect. As you are aware for the Catholics, Vatican is their holy city and Vatican is a Catholic nation. Tibet is a holy place for the Buddhists and counts itself as a Buddhist nation or as a nation for the Buddhists. Saudi Arabia has Mecca and Medina and is home to the Islamic faith and calls itself an Islamic nation. Thus, it is only fair to call Israel a homeland for the Jews, regardless if they are practicing Jews or not. Also, how many countries do you know where Catholicism is a state religion though it is no longer enforced, just look at Latin America, Spain, Ireland, France, Italy, Poland, Philippine Islands and etc. All these nations have Catholics as a predominant faith. Yet, many do not follow the faith. Does that make them a race? Also, how many Muslim nations do you know of that have Islam as their national religion?

Cacaoatl, in your third argument you have mentioned not practicing Jews. Yet, in France or Spain the churches are predominantly empty during the Sunday mass? Yet, the French that I have met though they do not go to church, but they are happy of their Catholic culture and still have Christmas trees and pictures of Mary in their homes. At times I have even seen them light candles or observe Lent, but yet they never go to Church. My other Catholic friend only goes once a year on Dec. 25 to church, yet he eats only fish on Fridays. Again does that make Catholics a race? My Baptists friends never go to church, but at times I have heard them pray during hockey games or football games for the troops or for their teams to win and they would end their prayers in the name of Jesus. Yet, they hate all organized religion and pray only because they were taught that from the time they were babies. Does it make Baptists a re race?

Answer 1

Christians know what they know. After all, our Bible tells them so! They have been indoctrinated by the Roman Catholic Church for 2000 years -- it could take another 2000 years to undo that indoctrination.

I agree with gratvol -- being a Jew is more like having dual citizenship. One can be a Jewish American, an Australian Jew, a Chinese Jew, etc. I have a friend who tells me he is NOT religious, yet he keeps kosher because *those* foods are forbidden, and observes most Jewish holidays. It took a very long time for me to understand exactly why he doesn't consider himself religious.

I was raised in a Christian family, but left the church early in my life. I would never have considered myself a Christian, yet our family celebrated Christmas and Easter with Santa Claus and the Easter bunny. No matter what my religion, I will always be proud to call myself an American.

After learning about Judaism, I often think of telling my Christian friends that Judaism can be compared to nationality (culture) rather than to religion, but there is so much they don't understand about Judaism they couldn't possibly accept that explanation.

Isn't it amazing to see all the Christian answers telling you who you are? Even in the U.S. where we have the freedom to identify ourselves, Christians have not allowed Jews to do so. Since we are a democracy, I suppose that means that the majority (Christians) make all those decisions. Incredible!

EDIT: I also agree with shrugger. Being a Jew is like being part of a family. My conversion seemed like being adopted into a new family. I nearly always end up in tears as I watch the Torah being passed from generation to generation at B'nei Mitzvot.
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Answer 2

Nicely said.

There is no such thing as a Jewish "race". As you said, Jews cross every colour divide, every nationality and ethnicity. There are Spanish, Italian, Portugese, French, Egyptian, Iraqi, American, Nigerian etc Jews.

The halachic definitio of a Jew is simple- somebody who has CONVERTED to Judaism through a recognised Beis Din (Rabbinical court) or has a Jewish mother. NOTE: UNder halachic guidelines- your father's religion is IRRELEVANT, it only counts if your mother is Jewish.

And for those getting hung up on the term Jews emanating from the word Judea,know what? It has been used generically as a word for Bnei Yisrael (The Children of Israel which is a more accurate and a term used far more often by Jews themselves) since the FVirst temple era- it is easily proven. In the Book of Esther it refers to Mordechai, the uncle of Esther and Nasi of the Sanhedrin as "Ish Yehudi", a "Jewish man", but he is from the tribe of Benjamin, and was not from Judea or from the tribe of Judah- thus even then the Yehudi was used as a generic term for ANYONE from Am Yisrael (The nation of Israel), and not just those from the tribe of Judah.

Answer 3

Judaism is both a religion and an ethnicity. Re - read the Bible. Judaism is the name of the ancient tribal religion of the Israelites and is named for the tribe of Judah.

1. The Bible obsesses over lineages and genealogies -- remember all those begats? Only tribes and ethnicities would bother to trace their ancestry.

2. It is not non - Jews who defined Jewish as a race but the Jews themselves. Hence the Zionist movement which supports a homeland for the Jewish people: why would a religion require a homeland? Certainly religious movements such as Christianity and Islam have their historic centers but only Judaism has a homeland. That homeland, Israel, happens to be a secular state. It is also referred to a Jewish state, however, not everyone there practices the Jewish religion.

3. There are many people in the world who refer to themselves as Jewish but who do not practice Judaism or go to synagogue only on High Holy Days. Instead they place value on the Jewish language (Hebrew), culture, and history as a people. Albert Einstein is an example.

Furthermore, person who converts from Judaism to another religion or even gives up the Jewish religion may still be considered Jewish under Jewish law. A Christian who converts to Islam is not still referred to as a Christian.

Answer 4

Judaism is a religion and more than that it is a way of life. Jews are the chosen people, but one can still choose to be chosen. However, traditional Jews still have some racially distinguishing characteristics since they all descend from the same man. Perhaps it is better to say that Judaism is a family and shares the characteristics of a family and is willing to adopt people that really want to be part of that family.

Michael Jackson found a way to convert across the race barrier. :0)

Answer 5

Ok, now you'll be able to chew your possess head off -- since British/German or Aussie don't seem to be races, however seek advice from individuals from Britain, Germany or Australia. Those are Nations! You may have your black individuals from Australia or Germany, there, and your Chinese descended individuals in Britain. (Shades of Archie Bunker!) Your Jewish buddy was once toward proper than you or your four peers! Here is why: Truth is, we're a faith but in addition a country/individuals (Israel with individuals known as "Jewish" or "Israeli" if presently within the nation. Just like you'll be able to name your self British however now not reside in GB). So whilst any one says they're Italian or Spanish or British, relating to their country -- Jews can say we're Jewish relating to our country/household. Belgian or German or Finnish is not a race, they're nationalities. Judaism is not a race, it is a nationality which may be a faith. So your buddy was once proper - Judaism is each a country/individuals like Germany and a faith as good as Buddhism and Native American faith. Nation isn't the equal as ethnicity both! There are Hispanic individuals from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Spain, and so on. who are actually Americans and Asians from China, Malaysia, and so on. within the US (a country or tribe/state). You too can name your self a Maineiac, Texan, New Yorker relying on something state (every state has it is possess little ethnic flavorings or even sub-ethnicities via neighborhood) -- or all of the ones can say they're American (which will also be pressured with Canadians and Brazilians who're additionally from the Americas). Oh seem, no neat little racial, ethnic, tribal or countrywide class labels right here both! How approximately that. Curley Mo and Larry watch your possess heads waving that large rubber hammer considering British/German or Irish/Italian is a race. Good grief, the ones nationalities (all European) companies were combating for years. True, Judaism is a faith and this is a nationality. and.........the location for the Jewish country of Israel is none rather then Israel. however now not a race since each race and ethnicity has Israeli citizenship. eh, thank you for this question for the 14th million time! I eventually received it why the haters desire to make us a race and now not a faith or country -- to get the recognition off people being rightfully in Israel.

Answer 6

Because they're not Jews. It's the same reason non-Jews can't understand that a rabbi can lead services on Shabbat, (his "job") but can't flip on a light switch. In my studies and travels (yes, I actually have travels lol) I have found that many Jewish issues can only be understood with lots of study and a very, very open mind. People who "think" Judaism is "something" already don't have the open mind required--because they come with preconceived notions, which makes it extra hard to explain that the opposite is true.

B'Shalom

Answer 7

I think they can, but the issue is not about Judaism but about who is Jewish.

can Jew be someone who is Halachicly Jewish but is an atheist?

What about someone that is not Halachicly Jewish but praticles Judaism?

What about someone that is Halachicly Jewish but practices another religion?

In short is being Jewish a member of a religious group or a ethnic group?
This is going off track but I will finish =P
I say that a Jew is neither a member of a religion or an ethnic group.

Jews are a Nationality.-- Just like American, French, or German.

The only difference is it dose not have territory.

A person can be born Jewish or can convert. Just as someone can be born with citizenship or naturalize. A person can also lose their Jewish "citizenship" by converting to another religion, so to a person can lose their citizenship by becomeing a citizen of another nation.

thats my two cents.

Answer 8

I understand that part and agree with what you are saying. I think that what can be confusing is there are many who have a Jewish mother and would be considered Jewish by birth but either do not practice (they do not subscribe to any other religion either) or practice but ony for the sake of the ritual and not because they truly believe in the God of Abraham , I saac and Jacob, yet they still call themselves Jewish- according to birth.
I also realise this is true with many other religions (my mom still insists I am Catholic because I was "born and baptised" such even though i completely disagree with everything they teach and have had nothing to do with the Catholic church for 20 plus years- she still tells people I am Catholic)
I also know many who call themselves Christians who do not practise Christianity.
I think that with Judaism, it can refer to both race and religion, depending on context

Answer 9

Oh, teacher, so much of what you said is true, but a little leaven.....you know? Jew by birth, and non-religious would still be a Jew. The converts of any race are also Jewish, by faith. Let us not forget the ones referred to in Revelations as those who called themselves Jews, but were not Jews. I believe this would refer to the Jewish Nationalists who do not follow the God of Abraham.

Answer 10

Well, that's kind of an *ugly*, sweeping generalization. I have always fully comprehended the fact that Judaism is not a race, but a religion.

And don't you realise that the term "race" is dated and next to useless - has been for ~30-35, since our understanding of DNA has negated earlier racial views?