Jewish Thirst for Family History: The "spirit of Elijah" is considered to be inspiring family history research. Jews have a remarkable thirst for family history. I have a large book describing Jewish genealogy. In the foreword, there is a not-so-obscure mention that the largest source of Jewish genealogy is safely preserved in a "granite mountain in Salt Lake City." "Genealogy is the listing of ancestors in the order of their succession, and occurs in the Bible as lists of ‘generations’ and as tribal, clan and family lists, such as those of the houses of David, Zadok (see Zadokites), and Saul. All were based on the assumption that nations, tribes and clans were descended from a single father." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Secular Reason for Genealogy: "The tradition of listing family histories is an ancient one in Israel, for only by thus proving connection with some family or clan could a man claim the privileges of citizenship. If, as happened, members of the local population joined the Israelites (in the period of the Conquest or early monarchy) they were brought into the genealogical framework of the tribe as a means of assimilating them; similarly artisans, poets, and wise men not originally members of the tribe, were also generally linked with some ancient ancestor. Genealogies were not simply historic records but might be used in a national census . . . or for military or tax purposes. They might also reflect political events: thus, the merging of two tribes might be represented by an account of a marriage between heads of their leading families; and the absorption of a newly settled tribe among a local population might be described by the marriage of a tribal leader to one of the native women." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Oral Genealogies: "Genealogies of individual families seem to have been based on oral (spoken) tradition. In the period of the return to Zion (fifth to fourth century B.C.E.) it became especially important to prove the lineage of the priests and Levites, for without such proof of priestly descent, claimants could not qualify for service in the Temple or the priestly privileges. Other families were also keen to have proof of descent in order to justify claims to abandoned family property." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Genealogy for Temple Service: "In the period of the Second Temple purity of descent was important chiefly for the kohanim [priests] and for those Israelite families who claimed the right of their daughters to marry kohanim. "Since the various offices in the Temple service passed from father to son, the purity of those families whose priestly roles were known by long tradition was beyond question. "But Judaism never claimed that wisdom was the monopoly of prominent families (‘A learned bastard takes precedence over an uneducated high priest’– Mishnah, Horayot 3:8). Indeed some sages were even said to have been descended from evil gentiles who repented their ways and became good Jews. However, purity of blood did play a part in the fight for political power between prominent rival Jewish families. Thus, the Hasmoneans, who had to defend themselves against the contention that only descendants of David could rule, in turn questioned the purity of David's blood, in view of his descent from Ruth the Moabite. According to the third century Christian historian Africanus, King Herod forged for himself a descent from David, having first destroyed the genealogical records in the Temple." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Jews Maintain Identity by Hanging on to Roots: "After the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E. the kohanim clung to their lineage as the only remaining symbol of their past glory. Babylonian Jewry considered that the purity of its descent was of a higher order than that of Erez Israel, basing its claim on the tradition that all whose lineage was in doubt had returned to Israel with Ezra. With the Temple no longer in existence, genealogy lost much of its meaning and became merely a symbol of social status. In the Middle Ages some sages, such as Rashi and his grandsons Jacob b. Meir Tam and Samuel ben Meir, was claimed to have been of Davidic descent. From the 12th century on in Central and Eastern Europe the question of good birth (known as yihus) became increasingly important . . . (in) arranging marriages. By the 19th century in Germany great pains were taken to prove how deep were the Jewish community's roots in the locality . . ." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Moslem Identity: The Arabs as a people, on the other hand, have a much less unified identity. Although their families are important and many memorize generations of their family genealogy, they have not been able to carry on any major unity as communities or countries. For the religious Moslems, going to is a once in a lifetime goal. Along with the washings done at Mecca and the wearing of white robe-like clothing, Moslems are given a "n," one that they must not reveal—for it is theirs to use in the next life when they approach Allah. It is interesting that Moslems are urged to return to Mecca again and again, but these pilgrimages are for or in behalf of other people, preferably relatives, who did not have the chance to go. They may get the "new name" for them as well. Mecca is the holiest spot for Moslems; it is where Mohammed was born. Close to Mecca is , the second-holiest site for Moslems because it is the place where Mohammed was buried.