Ask The Rabbi January 29, 1994, Issue #8 ======================================================================== This edition contains: 1. Why Judaism only accepts matrilineal descent. 2. Spend the summer in Israel for as little as $599. ======================================================================== J. from Pittsburgh writes: >Dear Rabbi, > >I recently had a conversation with a Reform acquaintance of mine who >told me that they accept patrilineal descent in determining Jewishness. >I know that Judaism only accepts matrilineal descent, but what are the >sources on this matter so that I can be more informed at further >discussions? * * * * * * * * * * Dear J., First of all, let's explain what Judaism uses as the source for Matrilineal descent. The Mishna in Kiddushin 66b states that if a child's mother is not Jewish, then the child is "like her," (i.e., not Jewish). This Halacha is codified in the Shulchan Aruch, Even HaEzer 8:5, without mention of any dissenting opinion. No source in the Torah teaches otherwise, and this question has never been raised in any classical Halachic text. It is an obvious and accepted axiom given to us at Sinai. What happened in the Reform movement? For reasons know to them, they decided to "change the rules" regarding patrilineal descent. Since they did not feel bound to the Halacha, or even the literal _Written Law_, the Torah, they felt justified in doing this. Since Reform Judaism "plays by different rules," it makes it difficult_if not impossible_to debate patrilineal descent with them. Clearly, we are discussing this question based on purely _Halachic_ considerations, and therefore our discussion is not to be confused with the more political issue of "Who is a Jew?" regarding that person's status in Israel. Source: Mishna, Tractate Kiddushin page 66b ======================================================================== Questions are welcomed from ALL readers at ALL levels for inclusion in the Ask the Rabbi column. Questions of interest to our general readership may be answered in this column; for those of a more personal nature, we will try to answer personally via e-mail. To submit a question, address it to: ohr@jer1.co.il to insure correct handling, set the subject to "ASK THE RABBI" To subscribe to ASK THE RABBI, send the message: sub ask {firstname} {lastname} to listproc@jer1.co.il ======================================================================== Spend this coming Summer in Israel for as little as $599 -> JLE Israel Summer Seminar '94 <- 6 weeks of study and touring (June 1 - July 17) for Jewish men between the ages of 19 and 30 with demonstrated academic achievement and a sincere motivation to explore their roots. Minimum scholarship price: $599 (for round trip ticket, room, board, tuition and tours) For information: o send E-Mail to Rabbi Zalman Corlin o from the U.S. call toll-free 800-431-2272 (212-344-2000) o Outside N. America, send E-Mail to newman@jerusalem1.dataserv.co.il ======================================================================== Jewish L EEEEEEEE Prepared by Ohr Somayach Institutions J L E 22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103 J L Exchange Jerusalem 91180, Israel J J L E Tel: 02-810315 Fax: 02-812890 JJJJ Learning EEEEEEEE Internet:ohr@jer1.co.il ========================================================================