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Judaism Passed Through the Mother

Question

What is the reason that a son of a non-Jewish woman and a Jewish father is not considered Jewish?

Answer

The Talmud (Kidushin 68b) traces the source of this law to Deuteronomy 7:3-4. This verse specifies that intermarrying with non-Jews is forbidden. The reason stated there is that “…he (i.e. the non-Jew who would marry a Jewish girl) will cause your child (the offspring of that relationship) to turn away from Me and they will worship gods of others.” The implication of the wording of the verse, as explained in the Talmud, is that only when the offspring is from a Jewish woman is it considered “your child” and there is a fear that the non-Jewish father will attempt to turn the child away from the Jewish faith. However, if the intermarriage is a Jewish man with a non-Jewish woman, it is not even considered “your child” anymore. Thank you for your question.

Sincerely,
R’ Daniel Fleksher

Follow-up question

Question

Seems a little harsh. How is he affected if only his Father is Jewish? What about the new Dna research where many so-called men of Jewish origin can trace their paternal line to the brother of Moses? The Cohen tribe.(In genetics they mention each sex separately,so Cohen Jewish men are descendants of Aaron on their fathers side,with or without their mothers) You mean they don’t count for anything? What if his mother isn’t Jewish? Does that mean his Aaronic line is of no count? Then I guess the Gentiles would have to crown him as Aaron’s son if the Jews wouldn’t. Not that I know someone who is -I was just pondering…..I guess a law is a law. What do men with only Jewish Fathers do?

Answer

At first glance it may seem harsh but it is important to bear in mind that Judaism does take a very firm stance on intermarriage in general. In addition, this was not something imposed upon the child, but rather a consequence of a conscious decision on the part of the father.

Regarding your second point; DNA has nothing to do with it. It is nice to know that DNA can testify to the long lineage of the Cohen tribe. However, it is a spritual and not a physical heritage which is inherited.

The child of a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother is, according to Jewish law, a gentile. The only way in which they may be treated differently than a gentile is that whereas Judaism typically discourages conversions, the offspring of a Jewish father may be accepted as a convert more readily.