Ashkenazi

Meanings

Adjective

• Of or relating to Jews of Eastern European and German origin, and their traditions, customs, and rituals.

Noun

• An Ashkenazi Jew.

Origin

• From Hebrew אַשְׁכְּנַזִּי, from Ancient Hebrew אַשְׁכְּנַז. Biblical Ashkenaz was the son of Gomer, grandson of Japheth, and great-grandson of Noah. Ashkenaz's descendants were identified with Germans by medieval Jewish tradition. Ashkenaz was the name used for the Rhine river, which was the starting point of central and eastern European settlement by Jews, who are thought to have arrived in the region from Italy, and then spread east as they fled violent oppression and followed more favorable ownership laws.