Editing Matrilineality (section)

== Matrilineal identification within Judaism ==
{{Main|Matriliny in Judaism}}
Matriliny in Judaism or matrilineal descent in Judaism is the tracing of [[Judaism|Jewish]] descent through the maternal line. Close to all Jewish communities have followed matrilineal descent from at least early [[Tannaim|Tannaitic]] (c. 10–70 CE) times through modern times.<ref name="autogenerated14">Reviewed by [[Louis Jacobs]], [https://louisjacobs.org/articles/there-is-no-problem-of-descent/] Originally published in Judaism 34.1 (Winter 1985), 55–59.</ref>

The origins and date-of-origin of matrilineal descent in Judaism are uncertain. [[Orthodox Judaism]] maintains that matrilineal descent is an [[Oral Law]] from at least the time of the Receiving of the Torah on [[Mount Sinai]] (c. 1310 BCE).<ref name="auto">[[Numbers Rabbah]] 19:3</ref> According to some modern academic opinions, it was likely instituted in either the early [[Tannaim|Tannaitic period]] (c. 10–70 CE) or the time of [[Ezra]] (c. 460 BCE).<ref name="autogenerated14"/>

In practice, Jewish denominations define "[[Who is a Jew?]]" via descent in different ways. All denominations of Judaism have protocols for [[Conversion to Judaism|conversion]] for those who are not Jewish by descent.

[[Orthodox Judaism]]<ref>See Rabbi Moses Feinstein's re-affirmation of matrilineal descent, Elberg, Rabbi S., September, 1984, HaPardes Rabbinical Journal, Hebrew, vol.59, Is.1, p. 21.</ref> and [[Conservative Judaism]]<ref name="autogenerated14"/><ref>{{cite web |author1=Rabbis Joel Roth and Akiba Lubow |title=A Standard of Rabbinic Practice Regarding Determinati·on of Jewish Identity |url=https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/assets/public/halakhah/teshuvot/20012004/31.pdf |website=rabbinicalassembly.org |publisher=The Rabbinical Assembly |access-date=25 March 2020 |language=en |date=1988}}</ref> still practice matrilineal descent. [[Karaite Judaism]], which rejects the Oral Law, generally practices patrilineal descent. [[Reconstructionist Judaism]] has recognized Jews of patrilineal descent since 1968.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staub |first=Jacob J. |date=2001 |title=A Reconstructionist View on Patrilineal Descent |url=https://www.bjpa.org/content/upload/bjpa/c__c/Staub-%20Reconstructionist%20view%20on%20patrlineal%20descent.pdf |website=bjpa.org}}</ref>

In 1983, the [[Central Conference of American Rabbis]] of [[Reform Judaism]] passed a resolution waiving the need for formal conversion for anyone with at least one Jewish parent, provided that either (a) one is raised as a Jew, by Reform standards, or (b) one engages in an appropriate act of public identification, formalizing a practice that had been common in Reform synagogues for at least a generation. This 1983 resolution departed from the Reform Movement's previous position requiring formal conversion to Judaism for children without a Jewish mother.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/reform-movement-s-resolution-on-patrilineal-descent-march-1983|title=Reform Movement's Resolution on Patrilineal Descent (March 1983)|website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}}</ref> However, the closely associated [[Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism]] has rejected this resolution and requires formal conversion for anyone without a Jewish mother.<ref>[http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=840313&ct=1051515 Reform Judaism in Israel: Progress and Prospects] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114546/http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=840313&ct=1051515 |date=4 March 2016 }}</ref>