Posted on 07/23/2012 8:22:36 AM PDT by Cronos
for ethiopian Jews that’s a different case — they are genetically descendents of Jews. For many of those mentioned in the article, this is not the case. They are not genetic descendents of Jacob.
that was my understanding
Otherwise you must convert. -- I don't understand that -- Jonty corrected me that a person who is not genetically descended from Jacob can become a Jew. I'm confused by your statement montag -- what of someone who is not descended from Jacob -- can they convert?
A Jew is born to a Jewish mother or converted ACCORDING TO HALACHA (Jewish law). DNA does not have direct legal status in Jewish law, nor do conversions not in accord traditional religious law.
It must be noted that each case is handled individually, but, generally, in cases where there is doubt as to the status of one’s mother, there is sometimes a kind of abbreviated conversion. This would be the case of certain Ethiopian (and other) Jews who are serious about their Judaism.
It should also be noted that a status granted by the State of Israel does not confer status under Jewish religious law.
the first one I understand. The second -- is it possible for a black person with no Jewish heritage or genetics to convert according to HALACHA?
Falashas. Read “The Sign and The Seal”.
Falashas. Read “The Sign and The Seal”.
Anyone from any ethnic group can convert according to Halakhah. Technically there are some restrictions placed on certain historical groups (male Moabites and Ammonites), but since we no longer know who belongs to these groups (or even if they still exist) no one is disbarred ethnically from converting to Judaism.
Absolutely, the same as any other non-Jew who may convert. These days, almost any Orthodox community of some size has a few black converts.
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/2001/02/African-American-And-Orthodox-Jewish.aspx
thanks, both those posts give me more information. what about acceptance by the wider, non-reform Jewish community?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.