Who is the father of the Jews?

Answer 1

Jacob was the father of the Israelites (Jews). His sons were the ancestors of the twelve tribes. Esau (Edom) is the traditional ancestor of the Edomites. The Israelites and Edomites were frequent rivals, just as Jacob and Esau were bitter rivals. Jacob and Esau were twin brothers born to Isaac and Rebecca. Isaac also had a bitter rivalry with his older brother Ishmael. Isaac and Ismael were sons of Abraham who is also called "father of the Jews." Ishmael is the father of the Arabs.

Jacob's twelve sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulon, Joseph and Benjamin.

Answer 2

Tradition states that Abraham founded Judaism, and Moses later received the Torah from God.
The Kuzari (Rabbi Judah HaLevi, 1075-1141) states that Abraham was gifted with high intelligence; and, as Maimonides (1135-1204) describes, Abraham didn't blindly accept the ubiquitous idolatry. The whole populace had been duped, but the young Abraham contemplated the matter relentlessly, finally arriving at the conclusion that there is One God and that this should be taught to others as well. This is what is meant by his "calling out in the name of the Lord" (Genesis ch.12). As a young man, he remonstrated with passersby in public, demonstrating to them the falsehood of their idols; and our tradition tells how he was threatened and endangered by Nimrod.
Subsequently, Terah relocated to Harran; and it is here that Abraham began to develop a circle of disciples (Rashi commentary, on Genesis 12:5). Later, God told Abraham in prophecy to move to the Holy Land, which is where he raised his family. He continued his contemplations, eventually arriving at the attitudes and forms of behavior which God later incorporated into the Torah given to Moses.

Answer 3

Well, that depends on your point of view.

Abraham is often called the father of the Jews, because God's promise was given originally to him, as God's friend.(Galatians 3:16)(James 2:21-23)(Genesis 15:7; Nehemiah 9:7;Genesis 17:5-8 ; Acts 7:2-4; Genesis 12:7)

He was the father of Isaac (Romans 9:7) and the grandfather of Jacob.

Jacob(also called: Israel) was the father of twelve sons who became the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel, or the Jews. So in a literal sense, Jacob was the father of the Jews.(Acts 7:8) After the fall of the ten tribe kingdom of Israel, the term "Jew" came to apply to all the Israelites who returned from exile (Nehemiah 1:2) and then to all in the world (Esther 9:20 ),as illustrated by Paul at Acts 21:39 and Mordicai at Esther 2:5, who were both of the tribe of Benjamin and yet called themselves 'Jews'.

Answer:

"Jew" is merely the shortening, or "nickname" of "Judah."

Judah was one of Jacob's [Jacob's name was changed to "Israel"] twelve sons, and Judah's descendants are truly and "technically" the "Jews."

In the course of time, when the nation of Israel [the combined union of all twelve tribes] split into two kingdoms or "houses"... Israel and Judah... the tribes who were loyal to the king of Judah [or the Jewish king] were all referred to as "Jews."

Paul was a descendant of the tribe of "Benjamin" [Rom.11:1 & Phil.3:5]... which made him a "Benjaminite"... not a Jew [of the tribe of Judah]. But, remnants of many of the tribes of Israel also lived in the land under Roman authority... and the Romans thought of them all as "Jews."

The recorded lineage of Jesus lists "Judah," which makes Him a "Jew":

"...salvation is of the Jews." (John 4:22)

The world today also cares little or not at all about this distinction... and has labeled all of the different tribes of the Israelites, or any number of other people or groups who might adhere to the laws of God, into one lump category -- the JEWS.

The hatred of this world's god for what God has made and sanctified [set apart for His purpose] has gravitated to the religions and minds and hearts of men.

But, the Jews are merely the descendants of Jacob's son, JUDAH.

Answer 4

From a traditional religious perspective, Abraham. He is depicted as having lived about 4,000 years ago and is considered the first monotheist in his region as well as the first member of the Jewish religion (Yahweh's chosen). Through his sons Isaac and Jacob, his descendants eventually became the Jewish people.

The 12 sons of Jacob (aka Israel, or "had Wrestling match with Yahweh") became the twelve different tribes of Israel. One of these was the eponymous Judah (i.e. Jew literally means "from Judah", hence "Judaism"). So, as far as self-identity as a distinct tribe, Judah was the father of the Jewish people.

However, historical research shows that Abraham, as depicted in the Hebrew Bible, could not have existed and modern genealogical study has shown there never were 12 tribes (the original lineage having split in thirds, not twelfths). The majority of peoples in the Jewish diaspora are either Sephardic Jews or Ashkenazi Jews. They are, as happens in all cultures, descended from the a mix of the area in which they lived. Sephardics come from the Iberian Peninsula; Ashkenazis come from Eastern Europe (Ashkenazi means "Germanic"). Sephardic Jews have some genes which can be traced to ancient Eastern Mediterranean people (Israelites) on the paternal side but it appears that Ashkenazis Jews originated from the Khazars (today's Khazakstan and southern Russia).

There are also smaller populations of people who self-identify as Jews: Temanin (Yemen), Mizrahim (Caucasus), Karaim (Egyptian). These are religious Jews (converts) with no Israelite descent. There are, of course, many converts in the US, Canada, and England, as well.

Answer 5

Jacob was the direct father of the Jewish (Israelite) people. God gave him the name of Israel (Genesis ch.35). See also the Related Links.

Are Hebrews, Israelites and Jews the same people?

Biography of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Answer 6

Abraham.

Tradition states that Abraham (18th century BCE) founded Judaism, and Moses later received the Torah from God.

Abraham, tenth-generation descendant of Noah, of Hebrew lineage, was the son of Terah, uncle of Lot, father of Isaac, grandfather of Jacob, and forefather of the Israelites. His story is in Genesis ch.11 (end), through ch.25. Jewish tradition states that he was the first to actively spread belief in One God; and it is in his merit that Jews continue to exist (Genesis 18:19, and ch.17).

• Link: Abraham's Hebrew ancestry
  

Abraham came from ancestry that had been aware of God a couple of centuries earlier but had afterwards slipped into idolatry (Joshua 24:2).

By the time of Abraham, the area where he lived was full of pagan cults; they were polytheistic, worshiping multiple deities.

• Link: How polytheism began
  

Abraham became the first to advance the idea of ethical monotheism: the worship of One God, and the appropriate ethical code of conduct.

Nimrod, the idolatrous tyrant, had brought Abraham's father (Terah) from the Semitic ancestral seat near the confluence of the Balikh and the Euphrates, and instated him in a position of power in his army in the royal Babylonian city of Ur, where Abraham was born. Nimrod persecuted any who would question his idolatrous cult.

The Kuzari (Rabbi Judah HaLevi, 1075-1141) states that Abraham was gifted with high intelligence; and, as Maimonides (1135-1204) describes, Abraham didn't blindly accept the ubiquitous idolatry. The whole populace had been duped, but the young Abraham contemplated the matter relentlessly, finally arriving at the conclusion that there is One God and that this should be taught to others as well. This is what is meant by his "calling out in the name of the Lord" (Genesis ch.12).

As a young man, he remonstrated with passersby in public, demonstrating to them the falsehood of their idols; and our tradition tells how he was threatened and endangered by Nimrod.
Subsequently, Terah relocated to Harran; and it is here that Abraham began to develop a circle of disciples (Rashi commentary, on Genesis 12:5).

Later, God told Abraham in prophecy to move to the Holy Land, which is where he raised his family.

He continued his contemplations, eventually arriving at the attitudes and forms of behavior which God later incorporated into the Torah given to Moses.

Abraham became the greatest thinker of all time. His originality, perseverance, strength of conviction, and influence, cannot be overestimated.

Abraham, with God's help, trounced the supremacy of the evil Nimrod.

He received God's promise of inheriting the Holy Land (Genesis ch.13).

He strove to raise a family (Genesis ch.15, 17, and 24) which would serve God (Genesis 18:19); and God eventually blessed his efforts, granting him numerous descendants (ibid., ch.16, 21 and 25), in keeping with His promise (Genesis ch.17).

Abraham founded the Jewish people and lived to see his work live on in the persons of Isaac and Jacob; and he taught many other disciples as well (Talmud, Yoma 28b).

He saved the population of the south of Canaan from invading foreign kings (Genesis 14); and he was feared by neighboring kings (ibid., ch.12 and 20).

Abraham gave tithes (Genesis ch.14), entered into a covenant with God (Genesis ch.15 and 17), welcomed guests into his home (Genesis ch.18) unlike the inhospitable Sodomites (Genesis ch.19), prayed for people (Genesis ch.18), rebuked others when necessary (Genesis ch.20), eulogized and buried the deceased (Genesis ch.23), and fulfilled God's will unquestioningly (Genesis ch.22).

He became renowned as a prince of God (Genesis 23:6).

The gravesite of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their wives (Genesis 49:29-32) is located in Hebron and has been known and attested to for many centuries.

• Link: Archaeology
  

All of the above practices of Abraham were based upon the ways of God, which Abraham understood through his contemplations. These, and similar personality traits, were the teachings of Abraham and his descendants (unlike idolatry, which had no moral character; with worship of the gods accompanied by things such as human sacrifice, "sacred" prostitution, and animal worship).

• Link: Pagan practices
  

It is therefore clear why God expresses His love for Abraham (Isaiah 41:8) and calls Himself the God of Abraham (Genesis 26:24), and says that Abraham obeyed Him fully (Genesis 26:5). And this is why Abraham is credited with having begun the religion which became known as Judaism. (However, Abraham and his descendants observed their traditions voluntarily, until the Giving of the Torah to Moses 3325 years ago, when God made it obligatory.)

Answer 7

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (father, son and grandson) are named as the patriarchs of the Israelites.

Note:

1) Dictionaries define Judaism as the monotheistic religion of the Jews. Abraham, who founded the beliefs of the Jewish nation, was the staunchest upholder of the religion which we today call Judaism.

2) We call someone Jewish not just because of genealogical descent, but also because of their beliefs and practices. "Anyone who opposes idolatry is called Jewish" (Talmud, Megillah 13a).Therefore, any attempt to go technical based upon the names of tribes, is disingenuous and misleading. No one today would claim that today's Kohens and Levites are not Jewish.

Tradition states that Abraham (18th century BCE) founded the religion now called Judaism.

Abraham, tenth-generation descendant of Noah, of Hebrew lineage, was the son of Terah, uncle of Lot, and father of Isaac. His story is in Genesis ch.11 (end), through ch.25. Jewish tradition states that he was the first to actively spread belief in One God; and it is in his merit that Jews continue to exist (Genesis 18:19, and ch.17).

• Link: Abraham's Hebrew ancestry
  

Abraham came from ancestry that had been aware of God a couple of centuries earlier but had afterwards slipped into idolatry (Joshua 24:2).

By the time of Abraham, the area where he lived was full of pagan cults; they were polytheistic, worshiping multiple deities.

• Link: How polytheism began
  

Abraham became the first to advance the idea of ethical monotheism: the worship of One God, and the appropriate ethical code of conduct.

Nimrod, the idolatrous tyrant, had brought Abraham's father (Terah) from the Semitic ancestral seat near the confluence of the Balikh and the Euphrates, and instated him in a position of power in his army in the royal Babylonian city of Ur, where Abraham was born. Nimrod persecuted any who would question his idolatrous cult.

The Kuzari (Rabbi Judah HaLevi, 1075-1141) states that Abraham was gifted with high intelligence; and, as Maimonides (1135-1204) describes, Abraham didn't blindly accept the ubiquitous idolatry. The whole populace had been duped, but the young Abraham contemplated the matter relentlessly, finally arriving at the conclusion that there is One God and that this should be taught to others as well. This is what is meant by his "calling out in the name of the Lord" (Genesis ch.12).

As a young man, he remonstrated with passersby in public, demonstrating to them the falsehood of their idols; and our tradition tells how he was threatened and endangered by Nimrod.
Subsequently, Terah relocated to Harran; and it is here that Abraham began to develop a circle of disciples (Rashi commentary, on Genesis 12:5).

Later, God told Abraham in prophecy to move to the Holy Land, which is where he raised his family.

He continued his contemplations, eventually arriving at the attitudes and forms of behavior which God later incorporated into the Torah given to Moses.

Abraham became the greatest thinker of all time. His originality, perseverance, strength of conviction, and influence, cannot be overestimated.

Abraham, with God's help, trounced the supremacy of the evil Nimrod.

He received God's promise of inheriting the Holy Land (Genesis ch.13).

He strove to raise a family (Genesis ch.15, 17, and 24) which would serve God (Genesis 18:19); and God eventually blessed his efforts, granting him numerous descendants (ibid., ch.16, 21 and 25), in keeping with His promise (Genesis ch.17).

Abraham founded the Jewish people and lived to see his work live on in the persons of Isaac and Jacob; and he taught many other disciples as well (Talmud, Yoma 28b).

He saved the population of the south of Canaan from invading foreign kings (Genesis 14); and he was feared by neighboring kings (ibid., ch.12 and 20).

Abraham gave tithes (Genesis ch.14), entered into a covenant with God (Genesis ch.15 and 17), welcomed guests into his home (Genesis ch.18) unlike the inhospitable Sodomites (Genesis ch.19), prayed for people (Genesis ch.18), rebuked others when necessary (Genesis ch.20), eulogized and buried the deceased (Genesis ch.23), and fulfilled God's will unquestioningly (Genesis ch.22).

He became renowned as a prince of God (Genesis 23:6).

The gravesite of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their wives (Genesis 49:29-32) is located in Hebron and has been known and attested to for many centuries.

• Link: Archaeology
  

All of the above practices of Abraham were based upon the ways of God, which Abraham understood through his contemplations. These, and similar personality traits, were the teachings of Abraham and his descendants (unlike idolatry, which had no moral character; with worship of the gods accompanied by things such as human sacrifice, "sacred" prostitution, and animal worship).

• Link: Pagan practices
  

It is therefore clear why God expresses His love for Abraham (Isaiah 41:8) and calls Himself the God of Abraham (Genesis 26:24), and says that Abraham obeyed Him fully (Genesis 26:5). And this is why Abraham is credited with having begun the religion which became known as Judaism. (However, Abraham and his descendants observed their traditions voluntarily, until the Giving of the Torah to Moses 3325 years ago, when God made it obligatory.)

Answer 8

Esau was the oldest son of Isaac and Rebekah.

Answer 9

Isaac is Esau and Jacobs father.

Answer 10

Isaac is the father of Esau and Jacob.