What is a Jew?

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A religion? Nation? Race? Culture?

 

What Makes Someone Jewish?

The question of what defines a Jew is complex and often confusing, not only for non-Jews but also for Jews themselves. Jews are considered to encompass various aspects: a religion, a nation, a people, a family, and a culture. However, the one aspect they do not constitute is race. This can be observed by the diverse sizes, shapes, and colors of Jews worldwide and the fact that anyone can join the Jewish people regardless of their racial background. Being Jewish entails both a national and a religious identity. It goes beyond a pure national identity, like being American or French, or a religious identity, like being Christian or Muslim. It is a combination of both. Even a non-observant Jew, who may not believe in God, remains part of the Jewish people. The Jewish people are undeniably a nation, as they possess a land, a language (Hebrew), and a history. Despite experiencing exile for the past two thousand years and residing outside the Land of Israel, the Jewish people have managed to maintain their survival. Their history is unique, and while other ancient civilizations have disappeared, the Jewish nation endures as one of the oldest surviving nations on Earth. After 2,000 years, the Jewish people have returned to the Land of Israel, demonstrating their resilience.

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