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Was Jewish descent originally patrilineal? If so when and why did it change to matrilineal? What source material references cover this topic?
Matrilineal descent is a fundamental of Judaism, and remained an unquestioned given for 3,100 years until the rise of the Reform movement in the late 18th century.
The source for matrilineal descent is from the Bible itself, where it discusses the prohibition against marrying out of the Faith. The Bible says that you may not give over your child to a non-Jewish spouse as he may turn your son away from you.
The bible, in describing the grandson as “your son” implies that he is Jewish, whereas the non-Jewish child-in-law is depicted as a male. This is understood to mean that the religion goes after the mother.
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