WHO IS A JEW? ADDENDUM

The Khazar Hypothesis and Jewish Identity: A Jewish Perspective

The Khazar Hypothesis is a claim that Ashkenazi Jews are not true descendants of the ancient Israelites but are instead descendants of the Khazars, a Turkic people who allegedly converted to Judaism in the 8th-9th centuries CE. This theory is often used to discredit the Jewish people’s historical and biblical identity, particularly their connection to the Land of Israel. However, from a Jewish historical, genetic, and theological standpoint, this hypothesis is baseless, misleading, and fundamentally incorrect.

Origins of the Khazar Hypothesis

The claim that modern Jews, particularly Ashkenazi Jews, are largely descendants of the Khazars was first popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was mainly advanced by:

Ernst Renan (French historian, 19th century) – Suggested that Ashkenazi Jews might have non-Semitic origins.
Hugo von Kutschera (Austrian historian, 20th century) – Argued that Khazar conversion played a role in shaping Ashkenazi Jewry.
Arthur Koestler’s book The Thirteenth Tribe (1976) – Popularized the theory, arguing that most European Jews were of Khazar descent rather than Israelite origin.

Although some Khazars did convert to Judaism, this theory falsely assumes that they became the primary ancestors of modern Jews, particularly Ashkenazim.

Refuting the Khazar Hypothesis

1. No Evidence of Mass Khazar Conversion to Judaism

Jewish historical sources, such as the Sefer ha-Kabbalah (Book of Tradition) by Abraham ibn Daud (12th century), confirm that a Khazar king (likely Bulan) and a small elite converted to Judaism. However, there is no historical evidence that the majority of the Khazar population converted or that they played any significant role in forming the Jewish people.

The Khazar Empire was a multi-ethnic, multi-religious state with Muslim, Christian, and pagan influences.
While there were some Jewish Khazars, most historical sources indicate that their numbers were small, and they did not replace or absorb existing Jewish populations.
Medieval Jewish travelers, such as Benjamin of Tudela (12th century), do not report a significant Jewish presence among Khazars.

2. Genetic Evidence Strongly Refutes the Khazar Hypothesis

Modern genetic studies show that Ashkenazi Jews share deep genetic ties with Sephardic Jews, Mizrahi Jews, and ancient Israelites, not Turkic or Central Asian populations:

Y-DNA studies confirm that the priestly Kohanim and Levites share ancient Near Eastern origins, not Turkic ancestry.
MtDNA studies show maternal lineages connecting Ashkenazi Jews to the Levant and Mediterranean, not Central Asia.
Studies by geneticists such as Dr. Harry Ostrer and Dr. Doron Behar confirm that Ashkenazi Jews are genetically closer to Middle Eastern and Sephardic Jews than to any Turkic or Khazar groups.

Conclusion: There is no genetic or historical evidence that modern Jews descend primarily from Khazars. Instead, they are demonstrably descendants of ancient Israel, with a genetic link spanning back thousands of years.

3. Jewish Literature Confirms the Unbroken Lineage of Israel

Jewish texts emphasize the continuous identity of the Jewish people from biblical times to today:

Mishnah (Sanhedrin 10:1) states that all of Israel has a share in the World to Come, reinforcing the idea of an unbroken Jewish lineage.
Talmud (Yoma 9b) discusses the dispersions of Israel but never mentions a Khazar conversion as a major factor in Jewish continuity.
The Kuzari (Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi, 12th century)—while referencing Khazar conversion—emphasizes that Jewish lineage remains tied to Israel, not Khazars.

4. Theological Problems with the Khazar Theory

From a Torah perspective, the Jewish people were chosen by God through the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 17:7-8). Even if some Khazars converted, Jewish identity is not determined by genetics alone but by:

Covenantal continuity—passed through lineage and Torah observance.
Halachic conversion—which would make a Khazar convert fully Jewish, yet such a conversion does not replace ethnic Israelite descent.
Historical continuity—Ashkenazi Jews follow the same Torah, holidays, and customs as Jews from Sephardic and Mizrahi traditions, proving a shared ancient origin.

Why the Khazar Hypothesis Is Promoted

Despite being debunked by history, genetics, and Jewish tradition, the Khazar Hypothesis is still used today, mainly by:

✔ Anti-Semites and Holocaust deniers – To delegitimize Jewish history and Israel’s claim to the land.
✔ Islamic anti-Zionists – To claim that Ashkenazi Jews are impostors and have no right to Israel.
✔ Black Hebrew Israelite groups – To claim that modern Jews “stole” Israelite identity.
✔ Christian Replacement Theologians – To argue that Jews are not the real chosen people.

It is a politically motivated attempt to erase Jewish identity and disconnect Jews from the land of Israel.

Final Conclusion: Ashkenazi Jews Are True Jews

The Khazar Hypothesis is a myth that has been completely disproven by:

Historical Jewish records confirming the continuous transmission of Torah.
Genetic studies proving Ashkenazi Jews are of Israelite descent.
Jewish theological sources confirming an unbroken lineage from ancient Israel.

The Torah states in Deuteronomy 4:27, “And the Lord will scatter you among the nations.” The Jewish people remained intact despite exile and continued to write and preserve the Torah, something no other people have ever done. This is the strongest proof that the Jewish people today—including Ashkenazi Jews—are the true descendants of Israel.

WHO IS A JEW? INTRODUCTION