Judaism: A Story, Not an Ethnicity—and What It Means for Christianity and Islam

In contemporary discourse, Judaism is often framed as both a religion and an ethnicity. This dual identity is accepted by many, but a deeper examination of Orthodox Jewish law, particularly the matrilineal principle, challenges the notion that Judaism can be considered an ethnicity. According to Orthodox Judaism, a person is only considered Jewish if their mother is Jewish; if not, regardless of their father’s Jewish heritage, they are not recognized as Jewish. This doctrinal rule suggests that Judaism is more a matter of religious narrative and legal definition than of genetic or ethnic identity. Consequently, if Judaism is a story rather than an ethnicity, the same must be true for Christianity and Islam, both of which are built on the foundation of Judaism.

The Matrilineal Principle and Its Implications

The matrilineal principle, deeply rooted in the Torah and Talmudic interpretations, asserts that Jewish identity is inherited exclusively through the mother. This concept is derived from Deuteronomy 7:3-4, where intermarriage with non-Jews is prohibited, and the offspring of a Jewish woman is considered Jewish, while the child of a non-Jewish woman, even if the father is Jewish, is not.

The implications of this principle are profound. If Judaism were truly an ethnicity—a genetic inheritance—then paternal descent would be just as significant as maternal descent. However, the halachic (Jewish legal) stance that the mother’s status alone determines Jewish identity suggests that Judaism is not tied to ethnicity or genetics but to a religious legal system. The idea that one could have a Jewish father, grandparents, or even a long line of Jewish ancestors and yet not be considered Jewish because of the mother’s status highlights the primacy of narrative and legal definition over genetic continuity.

Ethnicity vs. Religious Identity

Ethnicity is generally understood as a category that includes shared genetic heritage, language, culture, and often, a common geographic origin. While Jews have historically shared a common language (Hebrew) and culture, and have a geographic origin in Israel, the rigid application of the matrilineal principle complicates the ethnic argument. For example, if someone with a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother were to adopt Jewish customs, speak Hebrew, and live in Israel, they would still not be considered Jewish under Orthodox law unless they formally converted. This requirement for conversion further underscores that Judaism, at least in Orthodox practice, is less about ethnic or genetic identity and more about adherence to a particular religious story and law.

If Judaism were an ethnicity, genetic heritage would be paramount, and the father’s lineage would carry equal weight. However, Orthodox Judaism’s refusal to recognize patrilineal descent suggests that Jewish identity is constructed more through religious and legal means than through biological descent. This construction aligns with the view that Judaism is fundamentally a story—a narrative told and retold through generations, reinforced by religious laws that define and regulate who is considered part of the Jewish community.

Judaism as a Narrative

The story of Judaism, like any narrative, is shaped by the beliefs, laws, and traditions that are passed down through generations. The Torah, with its commandments and laws, serves as the foundational text of this narrative. The matrilineal principle is part of this story, and it is through this lens that Jewish identity is viewed and determined.

This narrative approach allows for a flexible understanding of Jewish identity—one that is not bound by genetics but by the acceptance and practice of the Jewish story. It is why someone can convert to Judaism and be fully accepted as Jewish, despite having no Jewish ancestry, while someone with Jewish ancestry on their father’s side may not be considered Jewish at all.

The Ripple Effect on Christianity and Islam

Judaism serves as the bedrock upon which Christianity and Islam are built. Both religions trace their origins to the Abrahamic tradition, with Christianity emerging from the Jewish context and Islam recognizing Jewish prophets and teachings as part of its own narrative. If Judaism is fundamentally a story—a religious narrative rather than an ethnicity—then the same must be said for Christianity and Islam.

Christianity does not claim ethnic continuity but instead emphasizes faith in Jesus Christ as the defining characteristic of being Christian. Similarly, Islam is centered on the belief in the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, not on any ethnic lineage. Both religions have spread across diverse ethnic groups and cultures, further distancing themselves from any ethnic identity and reinforcing the idea that they are primarily religious narratives.

This perspective challenges any notion that these religions are tied to ethnicity. Christianity, with its universal message, transcends ethnic boundaries, inviting all who believe in Jesus Christ to be part of the narrative. Islam, too, embraces a universal message that unites believers through shared faith rather than shared ethnicity. The spread of both religions across the globe, encompassing a vast array of cultures and ethnicities, underscores their nature as narratives that define religious communities rather than ethnic ones.

Conclusion: The Primacy of the Story

In conclusion, the Orthodox Jewish law that dictates Jewish identity based on the mother’s status reveals that Judaism is not an ethnicity in the genetic sense, but a story—a narrative shaped by religious laws and traditions. The fact that Jewish identity can be denied to someone with Jewish genetic heritage based on the mother’s identity underscores the notion that Judaism transcends ethnicity. It is a narrative that individuals are either born into (through the mother) or can choose to join through conversion, but it is not something that can be inherited through paternal lineage alone.

Furthermore, because Christianity and Islam both derive from Judaism and similarly emphasize belief, law, and narrative over ethnic lineage, they too must be understood as stories. These religious narratives define and unite their respective communities, transcending ethnic and genetic boundaries. This perspective invites a reevaluation of how we understand religious identity, emphasizing the power of narrative and belief over biological or ethnic inheritance.

References

• Deuteronomy 7:3-4, Hebrew Bible.
• The Talmud, Tractate Kiddushin 68b, on matrilineal descent.
• Cohen, S. M., & Eisen, A. (2000). The Jew Within: Self, Family, and Community in America. Indiana University Press.
• Biale, D. (2002). Cultures of the Jews: A New History. Schocken Books.
• Peters, F. E. (2004). The Children of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, Islam: A New Edition. Princeton University Press.

This article argues that Judaism's defining characteristic, according to Orthodox law, is its narrative rather than its genetic or ethnic lineage. Consequently, since Christianity and Islam are rooted in Judaism and share a similar narrative structure, they too must be understood as religious stories rather than ethnicities.