Why do Jews have a nationality determined by their mother? The most popular versions

Each people has a number of features that distinguish it from others. One of these is the definition of nationality, which is determined by some people by the mother, and not by the father. One of such peoples is the people of Moses. Residents cite many reasons why the Jews are given nationality by their mother. The article will consider the most popular versions.

How is the child's nationality determined?

Before considering the above question, one should learn about how a person's nationality is determined. Nationality is a conditional affiliation of a person to a certain ethnic group, whose representatives speak the same language, have a common history and culture, and observe the same traditions. How is the nationality of the Jews determined - by father or mother?

Logically, the child from birth belongs to the nationality to which his parents belong. If they are representatives of different nationalities, then the nationality is determined in accordance with the traditions. For example, in Russia, if the father is Russian, the mother, for example, is Jewish, the child will be Russian in Russia and a Jew in Israel.

Why do Jews have a nationality based on their mothers, and Russians with their fathers? In many nations, the man is the continuer of the family, and the wife and child adopt the traditions and customs by which he and his family live. And since representatives of one people observe the same customs, it is natural that the child adopts the father's nationality. There is another explanation: thanks to the man a new life is born, and it is quite logical that his child is a representative of one nation with him.

There is another way of determining the nationality - the physiological one, according to which the person's belonging to any ethnic group is determined by appearance - the type and color of hair, skin, eye shape and physique. But this method will not work if the parents of a person are not just one, but several nations. But in this case he has the right, having become competent, to choose the nationality to which he refers or, in general, become a representative of several ethnic groups, a multinational.

But there are times when a child does not know his parents. Then he refers to the ethnic group in whose territory he lives and whose traditions he observes.

It is also worth noting that the issue of nationality in European countries is of less importance than in Russia and Israel, where it means citizenship. Since the Jews are determined by nationality? Below are the most popular versions.

Biological

The first answer to the question of why the Jews have a nationality determined by their mother is that, in the opinion of the representatives of this people, the body and soul of the child are formed in the womb of the mother. Therefore, a woman who is not a Jew from birth can not give a child a Jewish soul.

Sociological

It is similar to the previous version and the one according to which it is believed that the main feature of the Jewish people is its culture. And since the mother is more than the other members of the family engaged in the upbringing of the child, then his nationality is transmitted by the mother.

Religious

According to the Halacha, a body of laws based on the Torah, the Talmud and other rabbinical literature, a Jew can not marry a woman of a different nationality. This is explained by the fact that for a long time it is the mother that influences the formation of the child's personality and therefore it is not possible for a Jew to raise a true representative of the people observing all traditions and customs. Therefore, marriage with a stranger not only was blamed in society, but also considered a crime before God. But it is worth noting that if a woman accepted Judaism and respected all of its demands, she and her children were recognized as Jews.

Demographic

Another answer to the question "Why do Jews have a nationality determined by their mother?" It sounds like this: Jews, like other nations, took part in wars and, as a result, many men remained on the battlefield. In order for the nation not to disappear from the face of the Earth, the Jews decided to count the children of Jews from representatives of other nations as their compatriots.

Political

This version is similar to the previous one, but the reason was the war with the Romans. During the conflict, many Jewish women were captured by the Romans and were their concubines. That children born from the union of Romans and Jews, were considered representations of the Jewish people, a law was adopted according to which the nationality of the child was determined by the mother.

Legal

Another answer to the question "Why do Jews have a nationality determined by their mother?" - this is the legal version, according to which, the law adopted by the rabbis is a reflection of the law from Roman law. According to him, if the marriage was not concluded between the spouses, the child inherited the nationality of the mother, and not the father.

Alternative

Ancient Jews treated women of other tribes with distrust and fear, since they believed that even if the child was born into a marriage, you can not be completely sure that he is yours, since there is always a minimal risk that a woman can change. And in motherhood, on the contrary, it is impossible to doubt. Therefore, those who are wondering why the Jews have a nationality determined by their mother, should also know about this version.

How to become a Jew?

If a person suddenly finds out that among his relatives there are representatives of the Jewish people, and he wanted to become one of them, he must go through a special ceremony - a giyur, which includes four stages:

• A conscious and sincere desire to become a faithful Jew and observe the commandments sent by the Almighty - mitzvot;
• Pass the test of sincerity and the knowledge of the Torah in the rabbi;
• Go circumcised, if it's a man;
• Dive into the mikvah - a special pool with water that is filled according to religious requirements.

If a person has gone through all these stages, then he becomes a Jew.