Genes set Jews apart, study finds (European Jews Descended from Ancient Roman Converts?)

LA Times ^ | June 3, 2010 | Thomas H. Maugh II

[GOPGuide]

The Jewish people, according to archaeologists, originated in Babylon and Persia between the 4th and 6th centuries BC. The modern-day Jews most closely related to that original population are those in Iran, Iraq and Syria, whose closest non-Jewish relatives are the Druze, Bedouins and Palestinians, the study found.

Sometime in that period, the Middle Eastern and European Jews diverged and the European branch began actively proselytizing for converts.

At the height of the Roman Empire, about 10% of the empire's population was Jewish, although the bulk of them were converts. Some Khazars were also incorporated during this period.

"That explains why so many European and Syrian Jews have blue eyes and blond hair," Ostrer says. It also explains another of the team's findings — that the population most closely related genetically to European Jews are Italians.

[GOPGuide]

I didn't know Jews sought converts in Antiquity. Is Jewish prosleyltism in Rome mentioned by Ancient Historians?

[kabumpo]

NO.

[GOPGuide]

Ping

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

I didn't know Jews sought converts in Antiquity. Is Jewish prosleyltism in Rome mentioned by Ancient Historians?

Probably some did, some didn't. Jesus mentions that the Pharisees compass land and sea to make one proselyte (which may suggest that the Pharisees were either very selective or not very successful). The Hasmoneans at one point tried to convert the Gentile populations in Galilee to Judaism, with a mixed record of success.

[Genoa]

There were proselytes in Roman times. The Jewish monotheism held certain attractions theologically and morally. But I am suspicious of research that suggests that modern Jews are different genetically from the biblical ones. That can be a wedge for antisemitism.

[Jewbacca]

It’s a junk study.

What is more likely is Jewish people in Italy converted to Roman Catholicism, either in an attempt to blend in or by force (forced baptisms of Jewish children was a common practice, followed by stealing them and giving them to childles upper class families).

Leanardo DaVinci, for example, was maternally Jewish.
Chris Columbus, another.

[yarddog]

That doesn’t make a lot of sense. There obviously were Jews before that time period. A friend of who is Jewish, told me that King David had red hair. I did some quick research and that seems to be the consensus tho the Bible just says he had a ruddy complexion.

BTW, Ramses the Great had wavy red hair. Not conjecture either, he really did.

[wardaddy]

Khazars did not convert because of outreach from Jews.

Their nobility chose Judaism because they liked it and it was a buffer to them (in modern day SW USSR region)between Cross and Crescent politically since they assumed Judaism not long after Mohammed

I woulda never guessed that 10% Jewish Roman thing.

no doubt many Jews are Semetic.....they show it physically as much as I show the cold Steppes

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

There were proselytes in Roman times. The Jewish monotheism held certain attractions theologically and morally. But I am suspicious of research that suggests that modern Jews are different genetically from the biblical ones. That can be a wedge for antisemitism.

I would tend to agree, which is why I'm also leery of the Khazar story. IIRC, only the aristocracy in Khazaria actually converted to Judaism in any great numbers, not the rank and file who typically make up mass population movements.

[wardaddy]

The Blonde Hair and Blue eyes though could come from many places Jews have lived....Germany obviously...most Aryan looking Jews I’ve known were Germanic or Dutch descended

names like Goldhaber

[GOPGuide]

“that suggests that modern Jews are different genetically from the biblical ones.”

The study said the Middle Eastern Jews like Persian and Iraqi Jews are closest to the original population of Israel.

But there appear to be different Jewish ethnicities based on where certain Jewish populations have lived for centuries because Judaism is a religion.

[Carbonsteel]

“Blessed be the convert”

[do the dhue]

This is interesting. I have been reading a couple books on the lost tribes of Israel. The books mention that the lost tribes had migrated to Europe and other parts of the world. Also, before all the tribes had been lost, there were tribes like Dan who were able to sail to parts of Europe and trade. Some tribesmen from Dan set up trading post in parts of Europe. Italy, Spain, France, and some believe Ireland and Britain were some of the places they set up posts.

Anyhow, if you are interested, check out: The Story of Celto-Saxon Israel by WH Bennett and Symbols of Our Celto-Saxon Heritage by LG Pine.

[Genoa]

There have been some who have used alleged genetic distinctions as a preamble to asserting that modern Jews (specifically Ashkenazi) are biblically and prophetically irrelevant.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

That can be a wedge for antisemitism.

I ran across it on a thread here a while back. Some guy was going on about banking and the Rothschilds not being real Jews but Khazars.

[patriot preacher]

bookmark

[Genoa]

That's Anglo-Israelism, which asserts that Israel (the 10 tribes) migrated to Britain. It asserts that Ephraim is English and Manasseh is American. It proposes biblical support for Anglo-American superiority. Herbert W. Armstrong was a big proponent. The actual historical evidence is mighty thin.

[Oratam]

the population most closely related genetically to European Jews are Italians.

Hollywood casting directors have known this for years.

[cdcdawg]

“That explains why so many European and Syrian Jews have blue eyes and blond hair,”

is it really that many? Not in my experience. Aren’t most American Jews “European Jews”?

[GOPGuide]

Almost all American Jews are European Jews. Only 5% or so of American Jews are Middle Eastern/Mizrahi.