Years ago, who is a Jew was a controversial discussion and created much animus in the Jewish world. However, today I want to address this question from a non-halachic and unconventional perspective.
Our group just stopped at a kibbutz a few miles from Gaza. It was an area manned by volunteers to give soldiers from Gaza a few hours of respite. They provide sandwiches, beverages and showers for the soldiers. We brought with us seven boxes of chicken sandwiches that we had made a few hours earlier to give the soldiers some nourishment and enjoyment.
Besides witnessing the joy in the soldiers eyes, I met with an individual born in Germany and currently residing in Switzerland who decided two months ago to volunteer in Israel. I asked if he was Jewish and he responded “almost”. He explained that halachically he is definitely not Jewish and has zero interest in conversion. However, he feels a deep affinity and connection with the Jewish people. He said he is a Christian but doesn’t believe in the normative Christian tradition. He perceives that Jesus was born and died as a Jew and it was only in the third century that Constantine modified Christianity to abandon Judaism. Whether he is correct or not is irrelevant but his faith moved him to connect with the Israeli people.
I continuously read about left leaning Jews who are blindly supportive of the Palestinians and fanatical rabbis who promote an anti Israeli ideology. Thankfully, they are a minority but each time I hear those views it feels like another dagger penetrating my heart. I was therefore heartened to speak to a non Jew who clearly sees the beauty in Judaism. He was proud to wear a beautiful silver Magen David necklace and told me he wishes that other people in Switzerland will start wearing a Star of David and be more empathetic towards Israel. I can’t agree more.
So I leave you with the question: who is more Jewish? One whose DNA proves that they were born from a Jewish mother but despises Israel and supports its enemies. Or one who is from a halachic perspective definitely not Jewish but in his heart loves Judaism, Israel and the Jewish people.
