Since Biblical times, great importance has been placed upon the sense of the Jewish identity and the necessity for maintaining its purity. As the chosen people of God, Jews were for example not allowed to worship other gods or follow the practices of other nations. Observing the law and practices stipulated by God was the distinguishing factor that provided the Jews with their unique identity. Observing the elements of this identity is also what provided the nation with victory in battle and with the eventual attainment of the Promised Land. The Jewish identity was also an important factor in suffering. When suffering as a result of sin, for example, the people needed only to turn back to God in order to be forgiven and terminate the suffering. On the other hand, suffering as a result of their faith was seen as heroic, as for example in the case of prophets such as Daniel and the faithful such as Job. Suffering while maintaining the purity of identity meant eventual victory over enemies and personal glorification.
             The current meaning of the Jewish identity is not as much a result of practicing Jewish principles as it is conferred either upon birth or conversion. According to Lisa Katz (2008), for example, the Jewish identity is not the direct result of either ethnic heritage or nationality. Instead, she calls this identity a "citizenship" of a religious movement. Hence, being born of Jewish parents means that this identity remains with the child throughout his or her life, regardless of whether this child practices Judaism or not.
             If one is a non-Jew, on the other hand, practicing or believing in Judaism does not confer the Jewish identity. Instead, a non-Jew may become Jewish by means of conversion process, after which this identity is established and substantiated by practice. This is an element that was also present during biblical times, as many non-Jews converted to the religious practices of the nation i...