I had no idea that that question was addressed to me. But I think that is a great plan. Anyway, I have a question. Why is it that Jews don't consider you Jewish if you're father is Jewish?? I've always been so confused by this. Please answer
2007-10-16 14:40:33 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Israel
Thanks tons to everyone. I'm Jewish by my mother too so I was just kinda confused but thanks for enlightening me.
2007-10-17 10:38:46 · update #1
Judaism is a very practical religion.
In Islam the child is Muslim if the father is Muslim- due to the male-dominated society rules.
But why is the child Jewish if the mother is Jewish and not the father?
Why the mother and not the father?
It is the mother that has to be Jewish in order for the child to be Jewish because it is the mother who has the closer relationship with the child. The mother is the one to breastfeed the child, the mother is the one to spend the most time with the child raising him/her and cultivating their personality. So that is why the mother is the factor in determining the religion of a child in an inter-faith relationship.
Edit: hopeless well this is not my answer...As I said, this is Judaism's answer to why the mother must be Jewish.
2007-10-16 14:48:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 11⤊ 2⤋
I didn't see that the 12 tribes of Israel were female; they were all males. Since when was the mother supposed to be Jewish in order for a person to be a Jew? Whoo, I'm also confused by this!
2007-10-17 14:18:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Wonderful question. As a person whose mother is Jewish by conversion and whose father is a Jew by blood, I always often wondered if I was considered to be Jewish. I had a bris when I was born and attended Shul.
2007-10-17 09:52:55 · answer #3 · answered by Janice 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Another important reason is that when a baby is born, the identity of the father may sometimes be in question, but you can be pretty darn sure who the mother is! As His Excellency has already pointed out, Judaism is a very practical religion...
2007-10-17 05:40:55 · answer #4 · answered by Londoner In Israel 3 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Ultranational I often thought of that myself, I thought it was a little unfair that if ones father was Jewish but their Mother was not, how could that person not be Jewish? You explain it rather beautifully, and as a woman I respect that very much! Peace!
Londoner in Israel or for anyone: I don't understand though why would the identity of the father be in question? Thanks.
2007-10-16 22:24:37 · answer #5 · answered by HopelessZ00 6 · 8⤊ 2⤋
LEMONCREAM - well, in my book, you are a kosher chick!!
What 'Londoner In Israel' says is accurate.
Judaism is a really pragmatic religion; sometimes paternity is in question, these things happen. But as we always know who the mother is, that's why our faith passes down that line.
Although, please someone correct me if I'm wrong, is it actually written anywhere that our religion passes down through the mother? I was once told that it isn't.
2007-10-17 15:28:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The baby is inside the mother's womb and when inside rests his/her head next to her heart. Whatever is in her heart goes to him/her.
2007-10-16 22:38:53 · answer #7 · answered by Nicole 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
What Londener said.
2007-10-17 09:20:47 · answer #8 · answered by hamarker 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
every religion and its own rules...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jew
2007-10-17 08:45:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋