- Halacha
- General Questions
Checking a Cohen
Question
How can one check if he is a Cohen? My husbands’ aunt told him that she thinks he is a Cohen. His father is not sure. Its hard to trace their family ancestry, they are from Odessa Ukraine.
Answer
This is not a simple question.
Generally you will need some existing knowledge or new proof of being a Cohen, i.e. family member that is known to be a Cohen or a family tradition.
Since there is no clear evidence in this case' it is difficult to reach a positive conclusion only through a vague comment of the aunty, it should be investigated what her thoughts are based on etc. (See Responsa Yachel Yisrael 30)
Consult your local rabbinic authority for a practical follow-up.

Cohanim
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tammuz 18, 5768

Giving up rights to be a Cohen
Rabbi Jonathan Blass | 11 Tammuz 5763
kohen
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Kislev 14, 5782

Left-Handed Cohen
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 21 Sivan 5767

Rabbi Elchanan Lewis
Former Rabbi of Jewish congregation in Perth, Australia

Blessings for Refuah Shlema
9 Tammuz 5764

Prayers, Yom Kippur, etc.
13 Tammuz 5764

Shiva for Gentile Relatives
18 Tammuz 5764

Prayer and Jerusalem
11 Tammuz 5764

torah inheritance laws pt2
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Iyyar 12, 5782

Necktie for Jews
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Iyyar 11, 5782
Is the Ketubah valid
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyyar 12, 5782
