Q&A: Definition of a Jew

Originally published: September 20, 2018

This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.

Definition of a Jew

Question

Rabbi Michael, hello,
With your permission, I would be happy if you would answer two questions:
1. Can a Jew be defined solely on the basis of circumcision, while ignoring the content of Judaism throughout history, namely religion? I would appreciate elaboration.
2. Can a Jew be defined on the basis of circumcision and a shared history with the Jewish people?
3. A question unrelated to the topic: why, in your opinion, is it not possible to observe certain laws only, but rather one must take the entire package of commandments and observe them in full?

Answer

Regarding Jewish identity, see here:

על זהות יהודית בזמננו ובכלל

Circumcision defines nothing. If he did it as a commandment and because of the commandment, that is something else. Ethnically, a Jew is defined by his mother. Essentially, by observance of the commandments (see the next section).
3. Regarding some of the commandments, I did not say that Jewish identity cannot be defined that way, but you cannot be seen as obligated to the commandments. Observance of the commandments is because God commanded them, and He commanded all of them. If you observe only some, then you are deciding what to observe and are not committed to the command itself. If you think that there is some part that He did not command, that is of course something else.

Definition of a Jew

Question

Answer

שתף

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