Ask the Rabbi
- Halacha
- Cohanim
- General Questions
Question
My father told me he is a Cohen. His father told him.
They are not religious people. Never seen them in shul blessing like Cohanim do. My grandpa is not alive.
Can I enter a cemetery?
Answer
This would not be sufficient to establish identity as a Cohen. Staying out of a cemetery would be a stringency you are not obligated to accept, but you might be able to check you grandfather's gravestone to see if he is recognized as a Cohen. If it's not there, then it's a good bet he was not.

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Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 11 Tammuz 5763

Cohen and a divorced woman
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 14 Iyyar 5763

The Cohanim lineage
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Sivan 12, 5768




