One of the most vexing problems that face the Jewish people now that we have our own state is defining who is Jewish. The Supreme Court of Israel ( a secular institution) has given rulings on this subject going back to the founding of the State of Israel, the most famous case being that of “Brother Daniel” which I hope to discuss with you. But the question of defining “Who is a Jew” or to use the broader title of this series of classes “Defining Clal Yisrael” was a challenge for the leaders of the Jewish people when then returned to Israel from the exile in Babylonia. This is described in the Book of Ezra (again, as I hope to discuss with you).
So in these next three classes we will discuss what makes us Jews.