Answers to Quora Questions by Yair Davidiy (18 December 2017, 30 Kislev, 5778)
Is there a DNA test that could tell me if my family is Jewish? I was born and raised Christian, but that doesn't mean that some people in my family couldn't cover it up. Could a DNA test like 23 And Me help me find out if I'm Jewish or not?
https://www.quora.com/Is-there-a-DNA-test-that-could-tell-me-if-my-family-is-Jewish-I-was-born-and-raised-Christian-but-that-doesn%E2%80%99t-mean-that-some-people-in-my-family-couldn%E2%80%99t-cover-it-up-Could-a-DNA-test-like-23-And-Me-help-me-find-out-if-I%E2%80%99m-Jewish-or-not/answer/Yair-DavidiyÂ
The Jewish Law decides whether or not you are Jewish. If your mother is Jewish then you would be Jewish. If there is any doubt as to whether or not your mother is Jewish then a Jewish Orthodox Rabbi should be consulted, possibly more than one. This can be done. The Rabbis will usually want to help you in such cases. DNA tests cannot tell you if you are Jewish BUT these tests may inform which families your DNA resembles and where these families came from. In a genealogical search this may be of great help. If you have similar DNA to families with Jewish names etc, then this may be an indication as to where you should begin your inquiries from. In some cases the families in question will have contact details. If the DNA ties in with what you already know all the better. If such is your intention when taking a DNA test then you would be best taking a DNA test that focuses on YDNA i.e. that transmitted by the male, or mtDNA which is passed on through the female. Once you have this information other DNA tests (regarding autosomal DNA) may also be of interest.