- Halacha
- General Questions
Cohanim Ancestral
Question
Can a DNA test proove that I am a cohen?
Answer
Demonstrating that one has the “Cohen gene” does not prove that someone is a Cohen, since numerous non-genetic factors may disqualify someone from being a Cohen. If the families were fully Halachically observant, and have a family tradition that they were Cohanim, one can assume that one is a Cohen. This means, that the observant antecedents received the first Aliyah to the Torah or performed Nesiat Kapayim (duchening).
If not, one should not assume that one is.

Checking a Cohen
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 30 Av 5765
kohen
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Kislev 14, 5782

Kohein
Rabbi David Sperling | Cheshvan 2, 5778

Pidyon Haben
Rabbi Chaim Tabasky | 17 Cheshvan 5766

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
Was the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Greater Buffalo, the Congregation Darchei Tzedek and also served as a dayan on the Beis Din of Baltimore. Now is a Rabbi in Neve Yaakov, Jerusalem. His Shiurim and Q&A can be found on his site: www.rabbikaganoff.com

DNA Testing
Sivan 13, 5768

Dwelling in Egypt
Iyyar 22, 5768

The Torah before Mount Sinai
Sivan 16, 5768

Benefiting from mechalel Shabbos/Yom Tov
Nisan 30, 5768

Shehakol on Fruit and Vegetable Juices?
Torah & Land Institution | 2 Adar II 5763
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

Buying new things during the Omer
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5775

Nishmat Kol Chai- Did Peter write it?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Sivan 4, 5780

Chareidim and Israel
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyyar 22, 5782

a mishna
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 16, 5782
the hand symbol
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyyar 21, 5782
