What is a Jew?

What is a Jew? Who is a Jew? What does it mean to be a Jew? Is Judaism a Religion? A Nationality? A Race? Why are Jews called the children of Israel? Rabbi Moshe Zeldman debunks common misconceptions of what it means to be a Jew. Enjoy!

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Sinai Speak connects you with today’s cutting-edge Jewish speakers via short, inspirational videos. We create original video content with dynamic educators from around the globe, creating connection to the wisdom of Jewish tradition. Shalom & enjoy!

Rabbi Moshe Zeldman was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He has been involved in Jewish activism since his undergraduate years at the University of Toronto, where he studied Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence. Rabbi Zeldman was elected national chairman of the Canadian Jewish Students Network, led one of the first Jewish delegations to visit the concentration camps in Poland, and was involved in lobby efforts with Canada's Prime Minister on a variety of Jewish and Israel-related issues. He has served on the executive board of the World Union of Jewish Students, and has lectured to Jewish communities in 15 countries across the globe. He teaches on a variety of Jewish topics for Aish HaTorah, AEPi, Birthright, Hillel, the Maimonides program at Princeton, Tel Aviv and Hebrew University, and NCSY. Rabbi Zeldman resides in Jerusalem with his family.

[alwaqedi]

Shalom! I am Muslim and I really admire the JEWS. From my experience, they are honest, friendly, and very generous people. My Professor in college is a Jew. And the way she treats  me with made me look deeper in this religion. Much love my Jewish brothers and sisters.        

[stk]

I am not Jewish and I don't really understand Jewish but one think I appreciate about Jewish is that their culture toward education and knowledge. They encourage their kids to be better in education as a result they have the largest Physics Noble winners in the world. But the most important thing is that we are all Jewish, Christian, Muslim etc... we are all one human.

[mariusbaltazarrozenberg-ho]

being Jewish is an ethnic identity as well as a religious one

[TasmanianSon]

as a non-Jew, this is a beautiful, simple explanation of the Jewish identity: family.

[legendking]

I'm confused, I'm black can I be Jewish

[lukecox]

I very much like this video, and if I may be so bold as to address my Christian brothers and sisters who may watch this, remember what is said in the book of Romans, about being grafted in, and not to think you are better than the Cultivated Olive tree. We are Wild Olives, and we do not support the Tree; it supports us. Love the Jewish people, and remember that HaShem has made them a promise, and He keeps His word.

[HARPREETSINGH-zthl]

My religion is sikhism.I like Israeli people because they are honest.Love from

[lukenash]

How can you be a Jew if you don't practice Judaism?

I couldn't call myself a mechanic for lack of a better example if I don't fix cars correct?

[rickhamby]

real jews keep the commandments of God!

[sandrafaley]

This is wonderful!  I've never heard it explained better, or more all inclusively!  Thank you so much for recording this!

[scruethedemiurge]

And what is "the job that Jews are supposed to do in the world"?

[guybenkovich]

Jewdaism is not only a religion it's a nationality too

[azzyn]

oh my gosh. I had an essay on this exact topic and we were required to give an answer to the question, and I answered the same exact thing but forgot the convert part

[apurba_medhi]

Being a Hindu I have always enthusiast about what is Jews religion about, whom do you pray but your video help me to know about that.

[jamessmith-jvcx]

What if a Jew converted to some other religion?

[danhen]

The 77 dislikes are those that don't know anything about what it's like to be a family. I invite you to be apart of mine, shalom!

[ebalbert]

As a 69 year old man, coming from a Jewish cultural background as a child, this is the best answer I have ever read or heard. Thanks for posting this.

[TheAtheistLine]

All are welcomed to our call-in show, Israel Time 20:30, Sundays!

[abdooltrap]

Hi friends, can your video video be uploaded on another channel with the subtitles attached

[ladylioness]

I recently took ancestry DNA test and was 2% European Jewish. This video helped explain alot about the religious aspect.