ja chank 2008 - South African Jewish Board of Deputies
ja chank 2008 - South African Jewish Board of Deputies
ja chank 2008 - South African Jewish Board of Deputies
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If the above facts are accepted, and they are currently well documented, then it is the<br />
parental DNA <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Jewish</strong> mother, as well as the <strong>Jewish</strong> father, either together or<br />
singularly, which is responsible for the development <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Jewish</strong> personality. Perhaps,<br />
as may reasonably be assumed, having both parents who are <strong>Jewish</strong> may result in a<br />
“double dose” <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong>ness, which may be more influential than a “single dose” if only<br />
one parent is <strong>Jewish</strong> and thus the <strong>Jewish</strong> characteristics are more diluted.<br />
Notwithstanding this possibility, a single <strong>Jewish</strong> parent in a marriage is still capable <strong>of</strong><br />
transferring <strong>Jewish</strong>ness to the <strong>of</strong>fspring.<br />
Therefore, there are two ways <strong>of</strong> acquiring <strong>Jewish</strong>ness. The first is as described above.<br />
The second would be through the learning and adoption <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Jewish</strong> culture and<br />
traditions as implemented during the process <strong>of</strong> faith conversion. This confers<br />
educational membership <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Jewish</strong> people, rather than through genetic transfer.<br />
However, this does not imply that it will be <strong>of</strong> a lesser quality, as many converts have<br />
become devout members <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jewish</strong> congregations, both Orthodox and Reform. With the<br />
second method <strong>of</strong> acquiring <strong>Jewish</strong>ness, it is interesting to speculate that a different<br />
personality genetic DNA may add some additional strengths to the <strong>Jewish</strong> characteristics.<br />
Hopefully, the above discussion will <strong>of</strong>fer acceptable guidelines when considering the<br />
question “Who is a Jew”, while at the same time bring comfort, strength and tranquillity<br />
to those who have chosen to embrace Judaism rather than follow the traditions and<br />
cultures <strong>of</strong> their inherited non-<strong>Jewish</strong> faith.