Am I Jewish?
Question
Having had two catholic grandfathers, could I be Jewish without knowing it? I struggle with this. My parents themselves raised me agnostic... Many thanks
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
Based on what you write, you should consider yourself to be not Jewish since to be Jewish one's mother must be Jewish.
Allow me to add that Judaism believes that God loves all mankind. One does not need to become Jewish to go to heaven. All that God wants from the Non-Jewish world is that they observe 7 precepts, or commandments. They are known as the “Noahide Laws.” They are called “Noahide Laws” because the requirement to observe these seven laws was given Noah, a righteous non-Jew (yes, the fellow from the story with the flood).
The 7 laws are:
1. Don’t murder.
2. Don’t steal.
3. Don’t worship false gods.
4. Don’t be sexually immoral.
5. Don’t eat a limb from an animal that is still alive.
6. Don’t curse God.
7. Establish a system of justice.
Any human being who observes these laws goes to heaven. There is no need to follow any other religion. You can pray to God in your own words and your own language.
Take a look at the website https://www.netivonline.org/ which specializes in helping non-Jews with religious beliefs. There is a wealth of information there that you will find useful and inspiring. It is also worth looking up the “Noahide” or "B'nai Noach" movement and consider joining them!
Allow me to conclude by making it clear that the ban on idolatry applies to all mankind, not just Jews. Although no non-Jew is asked or encouraged to convert to Judaism, every human being must believe in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and reject all idolatry.