Human Race and the Jewish Nation

Question

Hi Rabbi, I have seen in the media lately some awkward discussions about whether being “Jewish” is considered to be a race or not. What do you think? Thanks!

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    Over the years, I have seen Judaism called a religion, race, faith, people, nation, state, land, and more. Of course, these are English words which may have different meanings to different people. And even experts may disagree on the definition of certain English words.

    Of course, this form is here to examine purely Jewish concepts and teachings, and not to devolve into any controversy that may be a result of an individual’s opinion. And it doesn’t matter how intelligent or not the individual is.

    Many people, if not most, would probably tell you that being Jewish is a religious term for people who share the “Jewish religion.” However, according to classic Jewish Torah sources and teachings, being Jewish means so much more than this.

    Being Jewish means belonging to a specific nation. This definition is actually stated in a verse of the Torah, “This day, you have become a nation to the Lord, your God. (Deut. 27:9) When God took the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob out of Egypt and gave them the Torah at Mount Sinai, with a promise to bring them to their own land where they could observe the Torah in peace — a new nation was formed. This nation is called the Jewish Nation.

    Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashi) explains that this verse says “this day” to teach that the Jewish nation was not only formed at Mount Sinai, but exists and is renewed each and every new day. Being Jewish means being part of a nation with a common history, a common land, and the shared values, teachings and ethical Monotheism of the Torah.

    Recognition and adherence to the above principles has amazingly enabled the Jewish Nation to maintain a distinct national identity despite ongoing dispersions and national tragedies, perhaps most notably the Holocaust.

    It is important to stress that Judaism is absolutely not racist by any sane definition. Anyone can become Jewish if they sincerely desire to become part of the Jewish Nation. Ruth, the great-grandmother of King David was a righteous convert to Judaism. There are Jews of every color, nationality and background. I prefer not to name names. I recently read a story written by someone in New York who generously and bravely went to Afghanistan last year to take tefillin to a man whose family has lived there for generations. But all this should come as no surprise to anyone who understands the true nature of the Jewish Nation.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team