0
Jewish tradition states that a Jew is any person whose mother was Jewish (Talmud, Kidushin 68b), or any person who has gone through a proper conversion to Judaism (Talmud, Yevamot 47a).Link: About conversion
The word "Jew" (in Hebrew, "Yehudi") is derived from the name of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and one of the Twelve Tribes of the Israelites.
The Jewish people are descendants of Abraham, whose Semitic ancestors lived in the Fertile Crescent and who lived most of his life in the Middle Eastern country of Israel (Canaan) 3800 years ago.
Hebrews, Israelites, Jews - the same people in successive eras:
- Hebrews
Abraham is called a Hebrew (Genesis ch.14) because "Hebrews" (Ivrim) means descendants of Eber (Ever). Ever was a Western Semite and an ancestor of Abraham (Genesis ch.10-11), and the early Hebrews were Abraham's uncles and cousins for several generations back. They lived in the Fertile Crescent, in northern Mesopotamia, west of the Euphrates river. Abraham was born in the city of Ur (in Mesopotamia; now Iraq).In 1934-39, excavations were conducted at ancient Mari on the Euphrates River. They found that ancient towns were named after the ancestors (Genesis ch.11) of Abraham:
The "city of Nahor" was found near the city of Haran which exists to this day. Equally clear signs of early Hebrew residence appear in the names of other towns nearby: Serug (Assyrian Sarugi), Terah (Til Turakhi, "Mound of Terah"), and Peleg (Paliga, on the Euphrates near the mouth of the Habur). All these names are found in Genesis ch.11.
In Ur, Abraham first repudiated idolatry. He then sojourned in Harran (Syria) for several years, and then lived most of his life in Canaan (Israel). It was in Canaan that Abraham lived most of his life, made a covenant with God (Genesis ch.15), and raised a family to be the center of carrying on his traditions (Genesis 18:19).
- Israelites
Abraham's family carried on his teachings voluntarily. Judaism as a binding, permanent entity, was set forth between God and the Israelite nation descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at Mount Sinai in the time of Moses (Exodus ch.19, ch.24, and 34:27).All of the above places are in the ancient Fertile Crescent.
- Jews
Jacob had 12 sons, who fathered the 12 Israelite tribes. The Israelites worshiped One God.
One thousand years after Jacob, ten of the tribes were exiled by the Assyrians, to points unknown. The only complete tribes left were Judah and Benjamin; plus part of Levi. The few thousands who remained from the other tribes joined the Tribe of Judah; and modern Jews are mostly descendants of Judah (hence the word "Jew").
This tradition has been substantiated by DNA analysis of Jewish communities all over the world, showing them to be inter-related and of Middle Eastern origin. The Cohanim, a family of the tribe of Levi, also share common genetics.
We possess the names and dates of our ancestors and leaders in an unbroken chain for 3800 years.
In 2000, Nicholas Wade concluded that his DNA study "provided genetic witness that Jewish communities have, to a remarkable extent, retained their biological identity separate from their host populations, evidence of relatively little intermarriage or conversion into Judaism over the centuries. The results accord with Jewish history and tradition."
Abraham was a historical person, as recorded in the Book of Genesis; and his gravesite is known to this day, in the Machpelah at Hebron, Israel. He is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, comprising over three billion people. The Jewish people have attested to his existence for 3800 years, and his name is mentioned by several ancient non-Jewish historians as far back as 2,300 years ago.
See also the other Related Links.
What else can I help you with?
What did the fascist party advocate?
jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jew jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jews ejws
Germans and Jews the same?
No. Not all Germans are Jews and not all Jews are German. But there are German Jews, as well as Jews with many other nationalities.
Is Jewish an ethnicity?
Yes. It is unique in religious groups, in that it is both an ethnic and religious group. Some Jews do not see themselves as ethnic Jews, but do follow Judaism (some Arab Jews, Berber Jews, etc.). Others see themselves as ethnic Jews, but don't follow Judaism (secular Jews, Christian Jews, Muslim Jews, etc.) Both views hold water. Jews as a religious group used to rarely intermix with other groups, making them their own people. They identify with Hebrew/Israelite descent as well. There are many Jewish ethnic subgroups as well. The largest Jewish peoples are: Ashkenazis, or German Jews. They are found in Germanic and Slavic countries, and have origins in Germany. They are also found in France, as well as in the Jewish diaspora (United States, Australia, etc.). They are the largest Jewish people in Israel, as well as the largest in the world! Saphardis, or Spanish Jews. These Jews are found in Spain, Portugal, France and North Africa. Many were persecuted in Spain and left to the north (France) and the south (North Africa). They are the second largest Jewish group, in both Israel and the world. Mizrahis, or Middle Eastern Jews. They are found in the Middle East and North Africa. A subgroup of this group are the Yemenite Jews. They are the third largest Jewish group, and sometimes seen as the "purest" (most Jewish). This is due to the fact that Jews around the world look very similar to the majority non-Jewish ethnic group in the same country. Two other subgroups that are based on linguistic/cultural background are the Arab Jews, Kurdish Jews, Persian Jews and Berber Jews. Those are the three largest groups. There are smaller groups of European Jews, African Jews, Indian Jews and Chinese Jews, including: Bene Roma (Italian Jews) - not the only Jews in Italy, there are also Ashkenazi/Saphardi Italians. Romaniotes (Greek Jews) Indian Jews - Cochin Jews (Malayali Jews), Bene Israel (Marathi Jews), Baghdadi Jews (Arab/Marathi Jews), Bnei Menashe (Mizo and Kuki Jews) and finally Bene Ephraim, or Telugu Jews. Kaifeng Jews (Chinese Jews) Georgian Jews Armenian Jews Mountain Jews (Azeri and Dagestani Jews) Bukhari Jews Beta Israel (Ethiopian Jews)
Why did he kill those jews?
Why did who kill which Jews .
Are Jews and Israel the same?
There are Jews all over the world. The one who live in Israel are Israeli Jews, like those in the U.S called American Jews.
What did the fascist party advocate?
jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jew jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jews jews ejws
What are three synonyms for misery?
Jews, Jews, Jews.
List five of hitler's holocaust targets?
1. Jews 2. Jews 3. Jews 4. Jews 5. Jews
Germans and Jews the same?
No. Not all Germans are Jews and not all Jews are German. But there are German Jews, as well as Jews with many other nationalities.
What do you call the traditional Jews?
Orthodox Jews or Torah Jews.
What are follwers of judaism called?
People who practice Judaism are called Jews.
What were at least three beliefs Hitler was against?
Jews Jews and Jews
Are black Jews similar to white Jews?
they are both jewish but black jews are black and white jews are white.
What did people think about Shakespearean Jews?
People think they are Jews of course dummy JEWS JEWS JEWS
Do Jews watch tv on sabbath?
No, Torah-observant Jews do not.
What did Middle Ages do to Jews?
jews
What do Jews have to go to Jews registration?
Jews who decide to live in Israel have officials take information about them, and there were lost tribes of Ethiopian Jews who needed to undergo special conversions to be recognized as Jews.
