Comments on Calvin L. Smith: Who is a Jew?

I read a story recently of a man from Spain who wa...

2010-03-02T23:17:25.862Z

I read a story recently of a man from Spain who was a practising Christian, but was very proud of his Marrano roots. An Israeli philosopher was visiting Spain to conduct research on the Marranos, and the Spanish guy recited a secret Marrano prayer that had been in his family for centuries.

The Israeli was astounded - he understood it was a curse on Christianity in Hebrew! The Spanish marrano family had passed a curse down the generations, that as the family moved on, they thought was a blessing!

As I understand it, Judaism's focus on the female ...

2010-03-02T22:26:17.843Z

As I understand it, Judaism's focus on the female line was a response to medieval persecution (including murder)of Jewish males, hence passing it through the maternal line was aimed at ensuring the survival.

Also, doesn't the maternal aspect relate to Judaism rather than ethnicity, i.e. Judaism's focus on Jewishness as essentially religious? (which I don't believe it is).

Thanks for asking about my trip. Still here, enjoying aspects of it but missing my family.

Trust you had a good trip Calvin. The Old Testamen...

2010-03-02T21:57:44.388Z

Trust you had a good trip Calvin.
The Old Testament Jews traced their ancestry back through the male line - how valid is it now to trace the ancestry through the female line ?

There is the Mosaic law of the rights of the first born male child (sorry can't find ref yet). A father couldn't disinherit a first born male child without just cause - which makes the accounts of Ishmael, Esau, Reuben etc all the more interesting. Jacob stole the birthright, even though God had planned to give it to him lawfully.