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Was Adam Jewish?

by Rabbi Mendy Chitrik

  

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Good question. We find in Kabbalah many times that certain figures before Abraham are talked about as though they were Jewish—including Adam, the first man. We can understand that Abraham was the first Jew. And his children and anyone else, by following his teachings—this made them Jewish. Until Mount Sinai, where the Jewish nation was formalized. Since then, if you have a Jewish mother or go through the same conversion process they went through at Sinai, you are Jewish. But Adam the first man, why would he be considered Jewish?

The question becomes easier to approach if we rephrase it as: “Why is Adam considered to be a part (or a founder) of the Chosen group, which is today known as the Jews?”

The Midrash1 states that the Torah and the Twelve Tribes were to be brought into this world through Adam, because he had those qualities of being “chosen”. It is only for his sin (when he ate of the Tree of Knowledge), that they only came forth generations later.

Similarly, we find in the Talmud2 that Shem (one of Noah’s children, whom we are told was a scholar of Torah), was to be the founder of the tribe of the Kohanim (Priests). Only for his error, the tribe was later attributed to Aaron (Moses’ brother).

How do we explain this?

The famous medieval scholar Rabbi Judah Halevi, in his Jewish philosophical writing, the Kuzari,3 addresses this issue. He explains that since Adam was (metaphorically speaking) handcrafted individually by G-d Himself, he was considered to be the Chosen One. But not until Abraham (and particularly Jacob) did this power that was bestowed upon Adam become something inheritable, to be passed on to the next generation.

This quality of being part of the Chosen group we find in other people prior to Abraham, namely: Chanoch, Metushelach, Shem and Ever. But although they all possessed these unique qualities, it did not automatically pass on to their offspring’s, and it only prevailed in them as individuals. Only after Abraham did this individualistic power start to become a “Chosen Nation” and an inheritance.

Footnotes

  • 1. Bereshit Rabbah, parsha 24.
  • 2. Nedarim 32:2.
  • 3. Part One, par. 47 and 95.
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Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Talmud
Usually referring to the Babylonian edition, it is a compilation of Rabbinic law, commentary and analysis compiled over a 600 year period (200 BCE - 427 CE). Talmudic verse serves as the bedrock of all classic and modern-day Torah-Jewish literature.
Kohanim
Plural form of Kohain. Priests of G-d. This title belongs to the male descendants of Aaron, brother of Moses. The primary function of the Kohain was to serve in the Holy Temple. Today the Kohain is still revered and it is his function to recite the Priestly Blessings on certain occasions.
Kabbalah
Jewish mysticism. The word Kaballah means "reception," for we cannot physically perceive the Divine, we merely study the mystical truths which were transmitted to us by G-d Himself through His righteous servants.
Moses
[Hebrew pronunciation: Moshe] Greatest prophet to ever live. Led the Jews out of Egyptian bondage amidst awesome miracles; brought down the Tablets from Mount Sinai; and transmitted to us word-for-word the Torah he heard from G-d's mouth. Died in the year 1272 BCE.
Abraham
First Jew, and first of our three Patriarchs. Born into a pagan society in Mesepotamia in 1812 BCE, he discovered monethieism on his own. He was told by G-d to journey to the Land of Canaan where he and his wife Sarah would give birth to the Jewish People.
Midrash
(Pl. Midrashim). Non-legal material of anecdotal or allegorical nature, designed either to clarify historical material, or to teach a moral point. The Midrashim were compiled by the sages who authored the Mishna and Talmud (200 BCE-500 CE).
Jacob
Third of the three Patriarchs and father of the Twelve Tribes. Lived most his life in Canaan and died in Egypt in 1505 BCE. Also known by the name of "Israel."
Aaron
Brother of Moses. First High Priest of Israel and progenitor of all Kohanim (priests) until this very day. Died in the year 1272 b.c.e.
Noah
Tenth generation from Adam. Of all humankind, only he and his family survived the Flood which destroyed all civilization in the year 2106 BCE.
Adam
The first man, created by G-d on the sixth day of creation. He was banished from the Garden of Eden after eating from the forbidden fruit of the forbidden knowledge. Died in 2830 BCE.
Judah
1. The fourth son of Jacob and Leah. He was blessed by Jacob to be the leader of the tribes. Consequently, the Davidic royal dynasty is from the tribe of Judah. 2. The southern part of Israel which was occupied by the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and always remained under the reign of the kings from the tribe of Judah.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.