Is Judaism considered a Race or a religion?

Question

See because some people might be jewish but not really practice its customs and stuff...so is it a religion anyone can join? Or a race that you are born into?

Thank you Last two guys that all iwanted to know. As for that firest lady how in any way is my question offensive?

Answer 1

No, its a religion and anyone can practice judaism.
And for the first person, Edna, you are being way too sensitive and paranoid. The question isn't antisemitism, she's just asking a question, so back off with the reporting crap.

Answer 2

The traditional definition of a Jew is one who has a Jewish mother. The Jewish people today can trace their roots to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Bible. And it was Moses who led the Jewish nation out from Egypt about 3300 years ago.

Due to historically very low intermarriage rates, Jews have preserved this ethnic group over the millenia. While not pure (e.g. there have been conversions, intermarriages, etc.), several recent genetic studies have pointed to the homogeneity of the Jewish gene pool today. So it is certainly true to say that Jews are an ethnic group.

As you noticed, the majority of the Jewish people are not actively practicing the religion of Judaism. Orthdox Jews, representing a minority of about 10-15% of the American Jewish population, are known to adhere to the religion of Judaism. The remaining majority have a various liberal approaches to religious practice, and some are completely secular. But they may still may feel strongly about belonging to the Jewish people.

Judaism does not actively seek converts. However, it is possible, but not quick or easy, for a truly committed person to become a Jew by choice. A local Orthodox rabbi should be consulted in such situations.

Answer 3

It is a religion, defined by the Torah- both the written law and oral law. The Torah defines a Jew as anyone born to a Jewish mother or who has a halachicly (Jewish law) valid conversion. It also states that once a Jew, always a Jew- it is not something you can leave, so even if a jew stops observong the laws (or never observed the laws), regardless of whether they are a convert or born Jew, they remain Jewish (though certain actions would put them outside of the community- so converts to other religions cannot have a Jewish burial or get buried in a Jewish cemetary, nor do the laws of mourning apply to them; they cannot hold communal postions, be a member of the community or be called up to the Torah or to pray from the bimah)

As for the term Jew, "Yehudi" has been used as a generic term for Jews ever since the southern Kingdom fell and the Jews moved into Judea as the only Jewish state- thus we find in various books of the Tanach that it refers to people as Yehudi, even though they are not from the tribe of Judah- a good example of this is in the Book of Esther, where it refers to Mordechai, her uncle, as "Ish Yehudi", even though he is form the tribe of Benyamin. The preferred term in most places in the Torah is Bnei Israel (the Children of Israel).

Answer 4

Edna Bambrick is a troll who has apparently resurfaced. Just ignore 'her.'

Judaism is a religion and many people convert into it. There are also people who consider themselves to be culturally and/or ethnically Jewish, although they no longer practice the religion. That's where the confusion arises. There are a few ways to define Jewish.

Answer 5

Judaism is a religion. Being Jewish can refer to your religion, or your race.

Answer 6

Judaism is a religion, some are born into it some convert.

Answer 7

Its a religion- a way of life. Anyone of any race can practice Judiasm.

Answer 8

its a religion practised by one Race. that is the official thing i think.
but the earlier jews of Kerala in India look like any other Malayalees, and so are the North East jews' resemblance to their co-habitants.
But officially they are all one race, the sons of Israel(the other name of Jacob?), Banoo Israeel

Answer 9

Judaism is a religion, not a race.
You can have black, white, asian jews.

Answer 10

its a religion