A Popular Dictionary of Judaism
A member of the *Israelite people. A Jew is defined by the *Orthodox as one born from a Jewish mother or who has formally converted to *Judaism (see *PROSELYTE). By virtue of maternal descent, an individual is obliged to observe the *halakhah (commandments).
An individual is still a full Jew even if not circumcised (see *BRIS) or has declared himself an *apostate. Conversion entails *circumcision for men and ritual *immersion in the *mikveh (ritual bath). The American *Reform movement recognises partrilineal as well as matrilineal descent in its understanding of who is a Jew and conversion requirements are more flexible. Consequently many members of the Reform Movement are not accepted as Jews by the *Orthodox even though such individuals are entitled to become citizens of the State of *Israel under the *Law of Return.
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