- Family and Society
- Who is A Jew?
Inheritance of Status of Being Jewish
Question
I am wondering if you could clarify the manner by which the property of being Jewish is passed from mother to children. My concern is whether in the situation where my family history is unknown, if I could still be under an obligation to follow the Jewish faith because many many generations ago, along the line of mothers, there was a Jewish member of my family? I have only been able to find answers online discussing mothers and children, when I am worried about many many generations back.
Answer
Only if the Jewish ancestor is your mother's mother's mother's... mother, would you be Jewish. If you have no proof as such, than in all probability, logic and Jewish law, say that you follow the majority of the population, and need not "worry" or suspect that you may be Jewish. In fact, it's much easier to be a gentile who needs only follow the 7 Noachide commandments, rather than Jews who must observe the 613 commandments, and God loves all of His creation.

What is it with all these "conversions" lately?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 11, 5776

Jewish Lineage
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Sivan 17, 5774

Sephardic/convert
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | Tevet 23, 5768

Mamzer
Various Rabbis | Shevat 29, 5768

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Writing a Torah Scroll in English
Adar II 25, 5771

A Day is a thousand years
Adar I 23, 5771

Bircat baalat habayit 2
Adar I 23, 5771

Orlah fruit trees
Adar I 5, 5771

eyebrow tattoo
Rabbi David Sperling | Av 6, 5778

Killing / Getting rid of bugs on Shabbat and Yomtov
Various Rabbis | Tammuz 18, 5770

Kashering a dishwasher
Rabbi David Sperling | Cheshvan 23, 5778
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

A Middle Name that Won’t be/Isn’t Used
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 11, 5782

Alarm Cock on the Three Weeks
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 4, 5782

Revising Nachem on Tisha bAv after 6 Day War
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Av 5, 5782
