Judaism is difficult to classify. Is it a culture, a race, or a religion? Judaism has elements of all three designations. Judaism began as a culture, thus the first Jews were of a specific race. But Judaism is no longer a culture or a race; due to Diaspora Jews are part of many different cultures and races around the world. The single element that unites all Jews is their religion.
Because of the fact that Judaism is first and foremost a religion many conflicts arise as to who is Jewish. Since Judaism is not specifically a culture or a race the common stereotypes of dark hair and large noses are not necessarily correct. There are many eastern European Jews who may not look stereotypically Jewish but worship Judaism in the same ways that a Jew living in Israel might. The belief in Judaism that Judaism is hereditarily passed through a mother furthers the question of who is really Jewish. This tradition also suggests that Judaism is much like a race in which a common identity is passed from mother to child. There are many different levels of worship, but all qualify someone to call themselves Jewish. Jews can have vastly different cultures and racial backgrounds but worship in the basic traditions of Judaism qualifies anyone to call themselves Jewish.
3 comments:
I get a little confused because I could not tell if you were saying that Judaism was originally a culture or a religion but you brought up aspects that I did not think about. I am in agreement with your statement about there being many different types of practicing Jews. Jews do not need the stereotypical characteristics to necessarily be a Jew. The concept of Judaism is more about what the common beliefs – one god. That they all believe in the same thing constitutes them to be a religion.
I really liked your point about the difference in cultures and worships of Jews around the world. It is also valid that the large part of Jewish heritage is based on belief in Judaism. Maybe the term "Jewish race" is also defined by the belief of Judaism, not by appearance. I like that. Well, but.. your point of "typical appearance" is more of the stereotypes about Jews rather than of a definition of a race, isn't it? If I say all Anglo-Saxon have blonde hair & red-white face, wouldn't it be more stereotype than a talk of a race? Race is defined by pedigrees, wouldn't it be? Maybe we can say that while other races are defined by typical pedigrees (patriarchal?) Jewish race is defined by Jewish, Unique pedigree (mother being a Jew). And some of nonJewish also might have had Jewish ancestor in the past but didn't recognize it, due to absence of belief. I buy your strong point about belief/worship.
Sung after reading you comment, I have to agree with you point about my mention of stereotypes. When further thinking about it, stereotypes arent really part of a race, they are simply how others define a race.
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