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From: mls@wxlvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Who is a Jew
Message-ID: <1438@ittvax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 20-Jul-84 09:43:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: ittvax.1438
Posted: Fri Jul 20 09:43:34 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Jul-84 04:59:19 EDT
Lines: 33


Who is a Jew is defined by Jewish law, just as who is an American citizen, 
a French citizen, or a Polish citizen defined by that country's law.  If 
I am one nationality and wish to become another, then I must go through 
whatever process is necessary.  I can not decide to call myself an English 
citizen, walk into the Forign Office and ask for a British passport.  
I will not be issued a passport until I fulfill the requirements for 
English citizenship.  The same is true within Jewish law: you must be born a
Jew by having a Jewish mother or convert according to the Law.

Although many people have changed the Law or want to change it, it can only be
changed in specific ways.  These too are outlined in Jewish Law.  Laws
can be *interpreted* by experts.  Some laws can be changed by the Sanhederen
(which no longer exists).  Some laws can only be changed by G-d.  But, this is
no different than national laws, with different powers given to courts,
legislative bodies, Kings or Presidents, or the Constitution.  

It makes no difference if your family came from Germany, Russia, Iran, Moracco,
or America: all are Jews.  But, is this not the same as people who come 
from the South, North East or West in the United States?  Each region 
has different cultures, but all are Americans, subject to the same 
national laws.  Each state and local government will have its own laws, 
but the national law stands above all.  The same is true for Jewish law.  
Each region or national group will have its own customs, but all are subject 
to the same overall Law.

But, what about the situation when others place all Jews in the same catagory?
For those who wish to remain Jews, maybe they should look into what it means to
practice the religion, maybe they should learn more about the Jewish religion,
maybe they will learn that we all are Jews, having the same beliefs, subject to
the same laws, involved in each others fate.  

					Michael L. Schneider