Body: | I have had so many debates about this question with so many people. For YEARS I assumed being Jewish, knowingly a religion, was also a race. Reason being, is simply how people and the Jewish community refer to others and themselves. Saying things like, "I have a Jewish family", "I met a nice Jewish boy' "This is food typical of Jewish people", The best one...and forgive my stereotypical comment, but here it goes...
"He/She looks Jewish. " "Look at her hair, her eyes, her nose, she is definitely Jewish!" "I don't know who it was but they were Jewish"
That to me, sounds like ethnicity not a religion. I am sure we can all stereotype religions, but the whole, she "looks Jewish to me" refers to physical features not clothing, accessories, etc.. So again, confusing!!!
I refer to people, if I have to, by many different aspects and sometimes that would be by race. But, never really religion unless the fact of their religion is relevant. I would never say.. LOL.I cant imagine saying, "Oh that nice catholic woman said hi!" " The Buddhist man is so nice. " "That guy you know, the Mormon over there!" Even, "OH my GOD! I met a HOTT Catholic guy yesterday!" or " I met this hot, tall, dark and handsome, (cause there is no other type of hot man, lol) Greek" I would probably refer to him just as a "Greek guy!" (I'm just giving examples people! lol )
So Again , I researched and found that NO!!! Being "Jewish" is only a religion. However, I have attached the definition and explanation to help understand the confusion. And, after reading this, I can understand why myself and others are confused.
Being Jewish is not a race
Being Jewish is not a race because Jews do not share one common ancestry or biological distinction. People of many different races have become Jewish people over the years.
Being Jewish is not a nationality
Being Jewish is not a nationality because Jews have been dispersed throughout the world for almost two thousand years. People of many different nationalities are Jewish.
Being Jewish is like being a citizen of a religious movement
Being Jewish means you are a part of a religious movement. However, the great majority of Jews become a part of the religious movement through birth and not due to their beliefs or actions. In this way, being Jewish is like being a citizen of a religious movement.
A Jewish identity is automatically bestowed on the babies of Jewish mothers (according to Orthodox and Conservative Judaism) and of Jewish mothers or fathers (according to Reform Judaism). This Jewish identity stays with them throu |