2007-08-31 14:10:36 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Israel
According to Judaism, if your mother is Jewish, you are too, whether she is observant or not.
2007-08-31 14:14:31 · answer #1 · answered by Little Gal 6 · 8⤊ 1⤋
In Judaism --as the others noted-- matriarchal lineage indeed determines one's Jewishness. If your mother is Jewish, then so are you! (This is the short answer.)
Obviously, the answer is sometimes more complicated. There have been many cases of individuals raised as Jews who were not, in fact, part of the Jewish people at all. (This occurred most frequently in recent decades.)
Likewise, there are Jews whose direct lineage has been covered up (even for hundreds of years). Sometimes the truth is discovered late in life or not at all.
If the short answer is not enough in your case, there are simple ways to ascertain the truth. Sometimes, one needs to go back in time a bit.
For example, one way that Jews check the lineage of an individual is by finding the ketuba (Jewish marriage certificate) of matrilineal grandparents. Rabbinic scholars (ie, rabbis) from the relevant communities are often consulted if the mother or grandmother can't help with this and the document is not easily found.
Other methods would include researching where ancestors are buried and what it says on the tombstone. Finding Hebrew writing on a tombstone or knowing that the grandmother/great-grandmother was buried in a Jewish cemetery is helpful. (In some countries, this is not very complicated. If you give them names, many burial societies have efficient means of tracking the info.)
When one is in doubt, speaking to an expert in Torah law (a rabbi who is experienced in such matters) is highly recommended. Whatever you and he discover, you will be more confident regarding the truth of your identity.
Good luck!
2007-09-01 16:42:36 · answer #2 · answered by Tequila 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
If your mum had a jewish mother then yes.
2007-09-01 12:58:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
if your mother is jewish you are jewish
check out chabad.com
ask moses.com the holidayas are coming around visit
a local temple
enjoy !
2007-09-03 11:47:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes Kosher Cupcake - you are indeed Jewish!
There are many lovely aspects to being Jewish - enjoy!
2007-09-01 11:47:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely!
2007-09-01 19:41:38 · answer #6 · answered by mindtelepathy 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
absolutely- for life. whether you are observant or not, you are considered Jewish forever and ever (and even if you were to practice another religion!) welcome to the tribe- it's great to be a member!!!!
2007-08-31 22:32:08 · answer #7 · answered by nanny411 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-09-01 06:29:42 · answer #8 · answered by Amy W 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
yes! contact your local orthodox rabbi and he'll explainyou more!
2007-09-05 21:27:55 · answer #9 · answered by ilovecandy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup. You are a Jew. Welcome to the chosen people.
2007-09-02 19:12:59 · answer #10 · answered by Feivel 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋