A Jew is a member of an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the ancient Israelites of Israel and Judah, traditionally adhering to Judaism. The term "Jew" historically derives from "Yehudi," meaning a descendant of Judah, one of the tribes of Israel
. Jewish identity can be defined in several interrelated ways:
- Religiously, a Jew is someone who practices Judaism, including both those born into the religion and converts through recognized religious procedures
- Ethnically or culturally, a Jew is a person descended from the ancient Jewish people, regardless of current religious observance. This ethnic identity is often passed matrilineally, meaning through the mother, according to traditional Jewish law (halakha)
- Legally, in Israel, Jewish status affects citizenship and personal status, with the Law of Return granting citizenship to those with at least one Jewish parent or grandparent, though religious authorities apply stricter criteria for religious matters like marriage
Conversion to Judaism is possible through a formal process involving study, acceptance of Jewish beliefs and practices, immersion in a ritual bath (mikvah), and, for males, circumcision, overseen by a rabbinical court
. Importantly, Jewish identity is considered permanent; even those who do not practice Judaism or who convert to other religions are still regarded as Jews by Jewish law
. In summary, a Jew is someone who is either born to a Jewish mother or has undergone a halakhic conversion to Judaism, encompassing religious, ethnic, and cultural dimensions that make Jewish identity unique and multifaceted
