Who is a Jew?

The question is based in ideas about Jewish personhood which themselves have cultural , religious , genealogical , and personal dimensions. There are controversial aspects —to begin with, the question has a logical inverse, namely "who is not a Jew?" Recent court cases have gained particular prominence in connection with several legal cases in Israel since 1962, and in 2009 there was a prominent and controversial court case , in the United Kingdom , about the question. The definition of who is a Jew varies according to whether it is being considered by Jews based on normative religious statutes, self-identification or by non-Jews for other reasons. Because Jewish identity can include characteristics of an ethnicity , a religion , and citizenship, the definition of who is a Jew has varied, depending on whether a religious, sociological, or ethnic aspect was being considered. According to halakha , the oldest normative definition used by Jews for self-identification, a person is matrilineally a Jew by birth, or becomes one through conversion to Judaism . Adherence to this definition has been challenged since the emergence of the Karaite sect , emergence of modern groups in Judaism since the 19th century, and the creation of Israel in 1948. Issues that have been raised reflect: Child's non-Jewish mother: i.e. whether a child born of a non-Jewish mother should be considered Jewish through the father's Jewish identity. Conversion: i.e. what process of conversion other than the historically normative procedure according to Jewish law should be considered valid. Historical loss of Jewish identity: i.e. whether a person's or group's actions (such as conversion to a different religion) or circumstances in his, her or community's life (such as being unaware of Jewish parents) should affect his or her Jewish status. Diaspora identity: identity of Jews among themselves, and by non-Jews throughout the Jewish diaspora . Claim to Israeli citizenship: the examination of the three previous issues in the context of the Basic Laws of Israel . Court Ruling in Britain Raises Question" . The New York Times . "Jewish school admissions unlawful" , BBC , 25 June 2009 [1] R(E) v Governing Body of JFS [ }] EWCA Civ 626 (25 June 2009) Who is a Jew? - U.K. case sparks holy debate , The National Post , November 16, 2009 .

The question is based in ideas about Jewish personhood which have cultural , religious , political , genealogical , and personal dimensions. The definition of who is a Jew varies according to whether it is being considered by Jews based on normative religious statutes or self-identification, or by non-Jews for other reasons. Because Jewish identity can include characteristics of an ethnicity , a religion, or conversion, the definition depends on many aspects that must be considered. According to the simplest definition used by Jews for self-identification, a person is a Jew by birth, or becomes one through religious conversion. However, there are differences of opinion among the various branches of Judaism in the application of this definition, including: The effect of mixed parents: i.e. whether a person of mixed Jewish and non-Jewish parents should be considered Jewish. Conversion: i.e. what processes of conversion should be considered valid. Historical loss of Jewish identity: i.e. whether a person's or group's actions (such as conversion to a different religion) or circumstances in his or her community's life (such as being unaware of Jewish parents) should affect his or her status as Jewish or non-Jewish. Diaspora identity: identity of Jews among themselves, and by non-Jews throughout the Jewish diaspora . Claim to Israeli citizenship: the examination of the previous issues in the context of the Basic Laws of Israel . Ethnic minorities in English law – Google Books . Institute for Curriculum Services . "The Samaritans – A Jewish Sect in Israel: Strategies for Survival of an Ethno-religious Minority in the Twenty First Century" . Review of Religious Research . 37 (3).

The question explores ideas about Jewish personhood, which have cultural , ethnic , religious , political , genealogical , and personal dimensions. Orthodox Judaism and Conservative Judaism follow Jewish law ( Halakha ), deeming a person to be Jewish if their mother is Jewish or if they underwent a halakhic conversion . Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism accept both matrilineal and patrilineal descent as well as conversion. Karaite Judaism predominantly follows patrilineal descent as well as conversion. Jewish identity is also commonly defined through ethnicity . Opinion polls have suggested that the majority of Jews see being Jewish as predominantly a matter of ancestry and culture, rather than religion. "A closer look at Jewish identity in Israel and the U.S." March 16, 2016.

Question about Jewish identity "מיהו יהודי" redirects here. The question pertains to ideas about Jewish personhood, which have cultural , ethnic , religious , political , genealogical , and personal dimensions. Orthodox Judaism and Conservative Judaism follow Jewish law ( Halakha ), deeming people to be Jewish if their mothers are Jewish or if they underwent a halakhic conversion . Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism accept both matrilineal and patrilineal descent as well as conversion. Karaite Judaism predominantly follows patrilineal descent as well as conversion. Jewish identity is also commonly defined through ethnicity . Opinion polls have suggested that the majority of modern Jews see being Jewish as predominantly a matter of ancestry and culture, rather than religion. "A closer look at Jewish identity in Israel and the U.S." March 16, 2016.

Question about Jewish identity "מיהו יהודי" redirects here. The question pertains to ideas about Jewish personhood, which have cultural , ethnic , religious , political , genealogical , and personal dimensions. Orthodox Judaism and Conservative Judaism follow Jewish law ( halakha ), deeming people to be Jewish if their mothers are Jewish or if they underwent a halakhic conversion . Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism accept both matrilineal and patrilineal descent as well as conversion. Karaite Judaism predominantly follows patrilineal descent as well as conversion. Jewish identity is also commonly defined through ethnicity . Opinion polls have suggested that the majority of modern Jews see being Jewish as predominantly a matter of ancestry and culture, rather than religion. There is controversy over Jewish identification in Israel, as it affects citizenship and personal status issues like marriage. Israel's Law of Return grants citizenship to those with a Jewish parent or grandparent, even if not religious. But the rabbinical courts use halakhic rules for marriage, requiring Orthodox conversions for those without a Jewish mother. This creates conflicts between different branches of Judaism. The Nazis defined Jews based on their ancestry and persecuted them on a racial basis . Antisemites have also defined Jews for discriminatory goals. Jews themselves have varying self-definitions, ranging from religious observance to secular ethnic identity. There is no consensus, but common themes emphasize ancestry, culture, and community belonging, even for secular Jews and converts to other religions. "A closer look at Jewish identity in Israel and the U.S." March 16, 2016.