WHAT IS A JEW – TORAH, HISTORY, AND IDENTITY

Introduction

The word “Jew” is commonly used today, but it is actually the final stage of a long Torah-defined identity that developed over thousands of years. To understand what a Jew is, one must trace the identity through the Torah itself: from Ivri (Hebrew), to Israel, to Children of Israel, to Judah, and finally to Yehudi (Jew). Each name reflects a spiritual, national, and historical reality.

THE FIRST TORAH IDENTITY: IVRI (HEBREW)

The earliest term used in the Torah is Ivri (עברי) — Hebrew.

Source:

Bereishit (Genesis) 14:13

“וַיָּבֹא הַפָּלִיט וַיַּגֵּד לְאַבְרָם הָעִבְרִי”

“And the survivor came and told Abram the Ivri.”

Chazal explain two primary meanings:

1. FROM EVER (עֵבֶר)

Rashi (Bereishit 14:13) explains that Avraham was called Ivri because he came from Ever HaNahar (the other side of the river).

Spiritually, Avraham stood on one side of the world, while all of humanity stood on the other. This defines the Jew as one who is willing to stand alone for truth.

2. DESCENDANT OF EVER, SON OF NOACH

Ever was a righteous descendant of Shem, son of Noach.

According to Midrash and Chazal, Ever maintained a yeshiva that preserved the knowledge of God after the Flood.

Avraham learned in the house of Shem and Ever.

Thus, Ivri also means someone who inherits the pre-Sinai monotheistic tradition going back to Noach.

At this stage, there is no “Judaism” yet.

There is ethical monotheism, chesed, justice, and walking with God.

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FROM AVRAHAM TO YAAKOV: THE FAMILY BECOMES A NATION

Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov are called Avot (Patriarchs).

Their descendants are not yet called Jews.

They are Hebrews — a family chosen for a mission.

The major transformation happens with Yaakov Avinu.

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THE NAME ISRAEL: A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

Source:

Bereishit 32:29

“לֹא יַעֲקֹב יֵאָמֵר עוֹד שִׁמְךָ כִּי אִם יִשְׂרָאֵל”

“Your name shall no longer be called Yaakov, but Israel.”

Meaning of the name Israel:

“כי שרית עם אלוקים ועם אנשים ותוכל”

“For you have struggled with God and with men and prevailed.”

Yaakov represents struggle, exile, and survival and overcoming through wisdom, cunning and ability.

Israel represents inner mastery, divine mission, and national destiny.

From this point onward, Yaakov’s descendants are called Bnei Yisrael – the Children of Israel.

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BNEI YISRAEL: A COVENANTAL NATION

At Sinai, the identity becomes fully defined.

Source:

Shemot 19:6

“וְאַתֶּם תִּהְיוּ לִי מַמְלֶכֶת כֹּהֲנִים וְגוֹי קָדוֹשׁ”

“You shall be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

This is critical:

The Jews are not merely believers.

They are a nation bound by covenant, law (Torah), and responsibility.

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THE TWELVE TRIBES

Yaakov has twelve sons, forming the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Each tribe has land, character, and spiritual role.

For centuries, the people are known collectively as Israel, not Jews.

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THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ISRAEL

Under King Shaul, King David, and King Shlomo, all twelve tribes are united.

Timeline:

• United Kingdom: approx. 1020–930 BCE

• Capital: Jerusalem

• Temple built by Shlomo

This is the peak of national unity.

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THE SPLIT: TWO KINGDOMS

After King Shlomo’s death, the kingdom splits:

1. THE NORTHERN KINGDOM – ISRAEL

• 10 tribes

• Capital: Shomron (Samaria)

• Lasted ~200 years

• Destroyed by Assyria in ~722 BCE

• Ten tribes exiled and dispersed (the “Lost Tribes”)

2. THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM – JUDAH (YEHUDA)

• Tribes: Judah, Benjamin, Levi (and remnants of others)

• Capital: Jerusalem

• Temple stood here

• Lasted ~350 years

From this point forward, the surviving nation is Judah.

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WHY WE ARE CALLED JEWS (YEHUDIM)

The word Jew comes from Yehudi (יהודי) — one from the Kingdom of Judah.

When the Northern Kingdom was exiled, the only functioning Jewish state left was Judah.

Importantly, refugees from other tribes fled south and became absorbed into Judah.

By the late First Temple period, all remaining Israelites were living under Judah’s identity.

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THE FIRST TEMPLE DESTRUCTION AND THE SHIFT IN TERMINOLOGY

• First Temple destroyed: 586 BCE (Babylon)

• Exile to Babylon

In exile, the people are increasingly called Yehudim:

• Because they came from Judah

• Because Judah preserved Torah leadership

• Because the Davidic line came from Judah

This is where the term “Jew” becomes dominant.

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BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND TEMPLE

During the Persian period:

• The province is called Yehud

• The people are called Yehudim

• Ezra and Nechemia speak of Jews, not just Israelites

By the Second Temple period, “Jew” is the standard term for:

• A member of the covenant

• A follower of Torah

• A descendant of Israel through Judah

This is not a loss of identity — it is a consolidation.

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IMPORTANT TORAH POINT: JEW = ISRAELITE

Even though we are called Jews:

• We are still Children of Israel

• Still bound by the Sinai covenant

• Still spiritually connected to all 12 tribes

The name Jew does not replace Israel — it preserves it.

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WHAT WE GATHERED

A Jew is:

• Originally an Ivri — one who stands on the side of TRUTH, Carrier of wisdom, from Adam and eve and creation of the world by g-d.

• A descendant of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov

• A member of Bnei Yisrael, the covenantal nation

• Historically from Judah, where all surviving tribes merged

• A bearer of Torah, law, and divine acceptance of Hashem's (G-d's) Kingship and mission.

The word “Jew” is not merely ethnic or religious. It is the final historical name of an ancient nation chosen to bring Godliness, justice, and truth into the world.