Judaism v Hebrew
 

I searched the web and found a lot of complicated answers on the difference between Judaism
and Hebrew, but was wondering if someone here can give me a simple answer to this comparison?

I have a friend who considers himself to be Hebrew but he does not identify himself as a Jew.
A lot of people seem to use the words "Jew" and "Hebrew" interchangeably, but what I am finding
is that they may be two different religions, please correct me if this is incorrect?

I have also heard that some Jews are offended if you call them "Hebrew." So I'm just trying to get
some clarification, as a non-Jew and non-Hebrew myself, from some of you here who might have
more insight, and what your opinion may be on this.

Thank you, in advance, for your comments.:smile:

I've never heard anyone refer to themselves as Hebrew and it would likely weird or even offensive to most. Hebrew is a modern language (and also an ancient biblical term for the people of that era).

Maybe your friend means he considers himself culturally or ethnically Jewish (a Jew) but does not practice or affiliate with some, most, or any of the religious tradition (Judaism). That would apply to some degree to many other folks, too.

Maybe the confusion or conflation of these terms is a part of it, as well?
Peace & blessings :hug3:
7L

Jew used to be a derogatory term in the past. Hebrew is an ethnic term for people who speak the language of Hebrew. A people who originated from the southern region of former Iraq. It's no different than calling people Arabs because they usually speak Arabic.

King, hello there...nothing you say about Jew or Hebrew makes any sense to me. I don't take your meaning.

The modern-day speakers of Hebrew in Israel do not call themselves Hebrews. That is an archaic term used in the Torah (bible).

It is different than calling folks Arabs. Because no one calls Israelis "Hebrews". And I believe the OP is not referring to an Israeli, either.

Jew was never a derogatory term for Jews, so the fact that others used it in a derogatory sense is not their problem.
It doesn't make the term "Jew" bad for Jews...and to suggest that the term Jew is derogatory for Jews is really deeply offensive.

Do you see what I'm saying? One doesn't look to those who are or historically were prejudiced against you to determine how you label yourselves.
You determine for yourselves who you are and how you will be called or named.

Peace & blessings :hug3:
7L

My friend definitely considers his religion to be Hebrew. I did some research on it and found out that Hebrew is an ancient religion, it is also a language, and a culture. Below are some links to websites regarding this. In my friends words, "Judaism grew out of the Hebrew religion." Like I said, those are not my words, but my research does seem to support that what was once called the Hebrew religion today is called Judaism. (See links below)

https://bigsiteofhistory.com/hebrew-...civilizations/

http://www.differencebetween.net/mis...sh-and-hebrew/

https://study.com/academy/lesson/the...r-beliefs.html

https://www.biblicaltraining.org/lib...ligion-hebrews

There are a great number of fringe groups in the world - such as the group known as Black Hebrew Israelites - and great many individuals who follow their own idiosyncratic path.

There is no point in discussing terms like Hebrew, Hebrew religion, Israelite religion, or Judaism without knowing more about your friend and what it is, exactly, he believes.

People are entitled to believe whatever they wish, whatever they choose. I'm more than happy to weigh in, but, in context, I don't have enough information to properly do so.

For me the bottom line was not necessarily about my friend, fringe groups, etc. I was only referring to my friend as an example. For me it was interesting to learn that Hebrew was once a religion and that even today there are people who consider themselves to be Hebrew. I studied the Hebrew language for many years, and also studied the Torah, Talmud, and Kabbalah for about 13-years at a temple in Los Angeles, CA. So I am familiar with the Hebrew language, Gematria, etc. I have studied the 5-most populated religions in this world, one of which is Judaism, but I did not know that Hebrew was a religion. Now I have learned a lot from my recent research on the difference between Judaism and Hebrew faiths. That was my only interest. Although I do thank you for your offer.:smile:

Starman, hello!
Rabbio makes a good point I hadn't considered...which is, there are many fringe groups and some individuals who may have a point of reference that is completely unintelligible to anyone else unless they say who and what their position is.

I gave you a mainstream reply which covers 95% or more of the topic but cannot address the other 5%, of course. And that is very likely why what you say to us, Jews, makes little sense on its surface for the 95%, not without further information. Then perhaps the pieces will fall into place once we know more about your friend and his Hebrew religion.

I completely forgot there are fundamentalists (in the strict sense of believing in a literal interpretation of the bible) who were largely raised Christian a generation or so back who then founded a Black Hebrew church. There are also many other strict, fundamentalist Christian sects and churches who practice their own very austere versions of old testament beliefs, although some of them de-emphasise Jesus, sometimes near totally, with more a simple emphasis on God.

Is this what your friend practices? Is he a member of the Black Hebrew church or some similar religious sect, or is it more just his own personal belief system known only to him?

Peace & blessings :hug3:
7L

Starman,

For me, I see Hebrew as one religion and Jewish as a later religion. Both religions seem to have multiple variations; some too many to explain.

For example, everyone knows what Genesis 1:1 says
"In the beginning, God created the Heaven(s) and Earth."

But note, I use the expression Heaven(s) denoting that some translate that Hebrew word as Heaven and others translate it as Heavens.

If you look at the Hebrew word for God, you find the word Elohim. With a little more effort you find out in the Masoretic text that there are at least 6 variations of Elohim which implies 6 different words which also leads me to suspect Old Hebrew may have been a tonal language.

Next look at Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3. Every word for God comes from the Hebrew word Elohim. Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3 appears to be the real first chapter and the first creation account. In Genesis 2:4 another creation account is revealed. The God mentioned in this verse is Yahweh in Hebrew!

But then Yahweh is rendered in at least 6 different variations with slight different pronunciations and meaning.

In the Jewish belief system, these abnormalities are rarely if ever uncovered.

Starman,

For me, I see Hebrew as one religion and Jewish as a later religion. Both religions seem to have multiple variations; some too many to explain.

For example, everyone knows what Genesis 1:1 says
"In the beginning, God created the Heaven(s) and Earth."

But note, I use the expression Heaven(s) denoting that some translate that Hebrew word as Heaven and others translate it as Heavens.

If you look at the Hebrew word for God, you find the word Elohim. With a little more effort you find out in the Masoretic text that there are at least 6 variations of Elohim which implies 6 different words which also leads me to suspect Old Hebrew may have been a tonal language.

Next look at Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3. Every word for God comes from the Hebrew word Elohim. Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3 appears to be the real first chapter and the first creation account. In Genesis 2:4 another creation account is revealed. The God mentioned in this verse is Yahweh in Hebrew!

But then Yahweh is rendered in at least 6 different variations with slight different pronunciations and meaning.

In the Jewish belief system, these abnormalities are rarely if ever uncovered.