What kind of Jew am I?

Some thoughts on the world in which I live, who I am and food for thought.

As the Jewish holy days and festivals come closer on the calendar, I generally feel wistful. I am never sure how I am supposed to feel which leads me to feeling resentful that I don’t know how to feel which leads me to giving minimal attention to the holy day. Partly, this is how it should be, because I am an atheist, and partly it is looking for a sense of belonging because, while it may seem paradoxical, Jewish observance is divorced from any belief of faith. That’s right, you can do Jewish things and be perfectly observant of all Jewish rituals and still be atheist.

Let me explain.

Judaism is not a religion in the traditional sense that mean it in the western world. Yes, it is an Abrahamic religion and, yes, it is fundamental to both Islam and Christianity, but unlike Islam and Christianity, Judaism does not require any belief. In Islam one is require to believe in and be subservient to Allah and submit to His will. In Christianity one is required to believe that:

You are a sinner
That redemption is possible through Jesus
That you be bathed in His blood to remove sin (Baptism)
That you then spread the Good News (Gospel)

In Judaism one is no required to believe any thing. The question that then faces us is, what is a Jew?

A Jew is someone who is either born of a Jewish mother or has been recognized by a Jewish authority as Jewish. In this sense, Judaism is not a religion, but a race. Sigh. And yes, this opens whole can of worms and no your opinion doesn’t count. There are studies which show that all Jews have a single genetic origin. If you don’t like this information, I am sorry, but it doesn’t make it not true.

Jews, for better or for ill, are a distinct race.

I have friends who embrace their Judaism. I have others who deny the fact that they are Jewish. I am Jewish and I do not practice Judaism. It is part of what I am, not what I do, not what I believe.