So what makes a Jew a Jew?
For me, a Jew has to have at least one of two -- Jewish family or faith -- for me to consider them a Jew.
Shalom ChavaK. I understand thee clearly on that, though my desire and wish is for ALL to come to the faith that is of JESUS but JESUS is also a hard concept to understand, especially within Christ-ianity and Islam.What makes a Jew a Jew is one of two things....
either born to a Jewish mother, or having
converted halachaly to Judaism.
As far as a definition of who is a Jew, it does not
matter what religion, if any, they practice.
If a Jew involves themselves in another religion,
they are not practicing Judaism but they are still a Jew.
Doesn't matter what family ties they have.
Doesn't matter what community ties they have.
The only thing that makes a Jew a Jew, is having
a Jewish mother or being a convert to Judaism.
This is frequently a hard concept for non-Jews to
understand...
HoD!
Exclusivist attitudes? On the part of whom? The Jewish posters?
Greeting HoD! I know this wasn't addressed to me but when you were a believer in YHWH did you ever to per-chance study on the Melchizedek in the Bible.?Ger - I do understand what you've said to me, so thanks for taking the time to type all that out. However (and don't get hurt by this!), I reject any notions of "chosen people," and any scriptures that support this notion. I've found that I'm pretty incapable of identifying with Orthodox theology, and I feel like I'll never really fit in.
This is not meant to be rude, but this person has no concept of whatThis was before he became agnostic and before I found out about my ethnicity, but I believe his exact words were, "You don't have to be perfect because you weren't selected to be a part of His chosen people."
You really do need to study and learn what this "chosen people" reallyI reject any notions of "chosen people," and any scriptures that support this notion.
This is not meant to be rude, but this person has no concept of what
"chosen people" means.
You really do need to study and learn what this "chosen people" really
means. The last thing it means is exclusionary and superiority....
please study it (we can provide links if you would like them) and
then make a decision.....do not reject it on the basis of a false
premise as to what it actually means...
I remember when I first learned this, and how I had to create an entirely new category in my brain for it. The difficulty lies with the fact that non-Jews normally tend to think in terms of "Are the Jews a race or are they a religion?" It used to confuse me to no end when I'd be in the forum and someone would make the remark, "Well, X is an ethnic Jew but not a religious Jew," and every Jew in the forum would reply, "A Jew is a Jew is Jew." The part of the answer about being born of a Jewish mother makes it sound like race, while the part about converts makes it sound like a religion. I finally realized I was having difficulties understanding because it really wasn't either of those. Can I give this a shot? Feel free to tweak if I need correction.The only thing that makes a Jew a Jew, is having
a Jewish mother or being a convert to Judaism.
This is frequently a hard concept for non-Jews to
understand...
Hey GT - looks like we have good taste. And we know a good cat when we see one too.
Here ya go HoDThanks, Chava. I do know what it means. Perhaps we don't really view everything it means in the same light, but I am aware of what it means.
Maybe you can explain to me what it means to you.
Messianics incorporate, affirm, and preserve their Jewish identity, Jewish customs, and Jewish style of worship, as they seek to be a light to the Jew first, then to the Nations .