Then why are Jews so insular?

The insular character of the Jewish community, at home and in exile, can best be described in the form of analogy.

Jews do not proselytize, but this age-old Israelite imperative not to proselytize isn’t based in ethnic chauvinism. Rather, the aforementioned creed that character is based on action, dictates to us that proselytization is unnecessary. One need not be a member of our tribe or follow the rituals of our faith to be righteous.

Judaism may be best described as the cultural expression unique to the nation of Israel which express a universal moral standard. So as long as people behave in a manner which aligns with this objective morality (see the 7 Noachide laws), they are our allies in the pursuit of justice. That being said, since the beginning of Israel’s inception more than 3,000 years ago people of other nations have been able to naturalize and become Jews no different than anyone else (and our view no less a literal descendant of the Hebrew forefathers).

Virtually every Jew alive today is the product of both descendants of native-born Hebrews and Gerim (naturalized members) who joined the nation in the ancient period.

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