I don't think its crazy for the Jewish people to be considered a race. The dictionary states race as an arbitrary classification of modern humans, sometimes, esp. formerly, based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics, as skin color, facial form, or eye shape, and now frequently based on such genetic markers as blood groups. Without trying to sound "racist"; when you think of what the stereotypical Jewish person looks like what do you think of? According to the definition above then Jewish people would have to be a race of people. (Not counting the converts into the Jewish faith) I think for my own future reference I’ll now be making a note to refer to the Jewish people when meaning a race and Jewish Faith when meaning the religion.
hitler considered the jews a race. but that's crazy, that'd be like considering lutheran christianity a race. according to jewish history Jews today come from two of the original 12 tribes, who were the descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob (israel), who was the grandson of Abraham who came from Ur on the Chaldees(mesopotamia, sumeria, iraq/iran neighborhood) in this case yes they are a race.A large percent of the population of ROMANS, actually converted to Judaism as well(imortant to take note of this)...there were also slaves in the days of Judea who probably accepted Judaism. and between the 7th and 9th century an asiatic-turkic gene was introduced to european jewish populations between the black sea to hungary. so now it leans toward religion more than race.the fact is, the true origins of european jews will never be fully known because "europeans" have destroyed the greater majority of what was once there.
I think that there are several good reasons. Jews lived among Europeans for centuries, but kept themselves separate -- staying genetically and culturally distinct from white people. Jews started to integrate with Europeans in the 1800's and 1900's. While a lot of Jews got whiter, a lot of whites got a little Jewish. I have a Jewish ancestor from the 1800's, for instance.Nazi's used "race" as a reason for exterminating Jews, although most of their reasoning was actually founded in the paranoia that Jews had caused Germany to lose in WWI.Jews, after World War 2, have found it convenient to define themselves as a race, culture, or religion as different situations made different distinctions useful.So... I would say that the Jewish "race" is a combination of legitimate distinctions (historically), anti-semitism (middle of the 1900's), and political maneuvering (presently).
I don't think its crazy for the Jewish people to be considered a race. The dictionary states race as an arbitrary classification of modern humans, sometimes, esp. formerly, based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics, as skin color, facial form, or eye shape, and now frequently based on such genetic markers as blood groups. Without trying to sound "racist"; when you think of what the stereotypical Jewish person looks like what do you think of? According to the definition above then Jewish people would have to be a race of people. (Not counting the converts into the Jewish faith) I think for my own future reference I’ll now be making a note to refer to the Jewish people when meaning a race and Jewish Faith when meaning the religion.
hitler considered the jews a race. but that's crazy, that'd be like considering lutheran christianity a race. according to jewish history Jews today come from two of the original 12 tribes, who were the descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob (israel), who was the grandson of Abraham who came from Ur on the Chaldees(mesopotamia, sumeria, iraq/iran neighborhood) in this case yes they are a race.A large percent of the population of ROMANS, actually converted to Judaism as well(imortant to take note of this)...there were also slaves in the days of Judea who probably accepted Judaism. and between the 7th and 9th century an asiatic-turkic gene was introduced to european jewish populations between the black sea to hungary. so now it leans toward religion more than race.the fact is, the true origins of european jews will never be fully known because "europeans" have destroyed the greater majority of what was once there.
Very interesting view
Thanks Drowlord. You definitely added a new dimension to this issue.
I think that there are several good reasons. Jews lived among Europeans for centuries, but kept themselves separate -- staying genetically and culturally distinct from white people. Jews started to integrate with Europeans in the 1800's and 1900's. While a lot of Jews got whiter, a lot of whites got a little Jewish. I have a Jewish ancestor from the 1800's, for instance.Nazi's used "race" as a reason for exterminating Jews, although most of their reasoning was actually founded in the paranoia that Jews had caused Germany to lose in WWI.Jews, after World War 2, have found it convenient to define themselves as a race, culture, or religion as different situations made different distinctions useful.So... I would say that the Jewish "race" is a combination of legitimate distinctions (historically), anti-semitism (middle of the 1900's), and political maneuvering (presently).