Ask the Rabbi
- Family and Society
- The Nation of Israel
- Conversion
Question
If you convert to orthodox judaism,
do you get your fathers tribe if he is jewish?
Answer
Shalom,
Thank you for your question. In relation to the issue of what tribe one is – today we have very little connection to which of the twelve tribes we come from. In general, due to the long exile, Jews do not relate to which tribe they come from. The exception to this are those who are from the tribe of Levi – the Cohens and Levis. These two types of Jews still have some special laws relating to them.
As to a convert – they do not carry the status of their farther, even if he is Jewish, and are considered as “regular” Jews even if the farther was a Cohen or Levi.
Blessings.






