Jul 23, 2025
What does “goy” actually mean—and why is it so misunderstood?
Contrary to conspiracy theories, goy isn’t a secret slur or an insult. It’s a Hebrew word that originally meant “nation,” and appears throughout the Torah—even referring to the Jewish people themselves.
Over time, it came to mean “non-Jew,” but it’s usually used in a neutral or even affectionate way. Like many words, context and tone matter.
The idea that Jews use goy to belittle others isn’t based on Judaism—it’s based on antisemitic myths. Judaism teaches respect for all people, not superiority. And fighting antisemitism means replacing fear with facts.
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