estherstein

estherstein t1_iz5k9lw wrote

I would argue though that since we only recognize matrilineal descent and we don't differentiate between descendants of converts it's a religious definition and not a tribal one. You cannot tell if someone is Jewish (according to Orthodox Jewish standards) by DNA. Maybe their great-great-great-great grandmother converted- and if that conversion was valid, and they can prove direct female descent, they're 100% Jewish.

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estherstein t1_iz39idb wrote

As an Orthodox Jew, my personal impression is that the race idea is almost entirely externally imposed- once people are persecuted for having "Jewish blood", it's kind of awkward to tell them outright that we really don't care if their father was Jewish.

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