Behind the Ivy - Summer 2018

SUMMER ISSUE |  BEHIND THE IVY

J U D A I S M : R A C E O R R E L I G I O N ?

AMANDA HACKER

forgotten without the subsequent larger religions that formed because of it. However, with a small community comes years of inbreeding. Historically, this is not unique. Even in the modern world, many royal marriages are determined by blood relation. However, it is this inbreeding that has resulted in varying genetic markers of the Jewish people. Just as a DNA test might tell someone that they have ancestors from a given part of the world, Jewish people, too, have a distinct ancestry. I could argue that, despite my faith, Jewish blood will always run through my veins. Conversely, to argue that Judaism is a race, and is therefore greater than religion, is to isolate Judaism from the greater population. Judaism is not, and should never be, an elitist religion. Arguing that Judaism is a race is to deny others the ability to convert and feel a sense of belonging in their new community. Just as I feel I have a right, despite my religious affiliations, to feel a part of the Jewish community, so do those who have chosen to convert. As is clear, the pathway to total acceptance is narrow. So, where do we go from here? Well, after some deep analysis, I have realized that Judaism can already be practiced as a (fairly) secular religion: participation in many of the practices of the Jewish faith needs no religious faith. Our major holidays (i.e. Hanukkah, Passover, etc.) are based on actual historical events. The story of Hanukkah is constructed around the persecution of the Jews by the Greeks, and the story of Passover is constructed around the persecution of the Jews by the Egyptians. Similarly, many Jewish holidays are dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of nature. For example, Tu Bishvat is a holiday where Jewish people are encouraged to plant trees.

I have always felt Jewish. More than that, I have always defined myself by my Judaism. When I was young, I went to Hebrew school and learned about the Torah. I celebrate the major Jewish holidays. I feel Jewish. Thus, I never felt any reason to question my Judaism. Nonetheless, I have come to face a growing issue in the Jewish community: is Judaism a race or a religion? I first became aware of this distinction in the Seventh Grade, when I attended the Religious Education course. As I studied religions and their respective higher powers, I felt a strong disconnect. It was never that I believed or disbelieved, only that I never felt sure enough to make the choice between faith and doubt. Thus, I labelled myself as agnostic. However, it was this religious self-diagnosis that left me confused and concerned about the state of my Jewish identity. It brought forth an impossible question. If I do not subscribe to the tenets of the Jewish faith, can I still be Jewish? Common sense would say no; Judaism is defined by its religious beliefs and practices. Therefore, to be void of those beliefs is to not be Jewish. Unfortunately, anyone with a basic understanding of history is aware that the answer is not nearly so simple. To erase my Judaism is, to me, to erase the thousands of years of history that come with it. Moreover, it is to forget the cultural challenges the Jewish people still experience today. For centuries, the Jewish people have been persecuted as a race; it is only fair that the Jewish people heal as a race. Another major argument in favour of labeling the Jewish people as a race is the genetic component. Judaism has always been a relatively small religion. In fact, many argue that Judaism would be

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