Ask Rabbi Dan
by Rabbi Dan S. Wiko PhD
My Dear Rabbi
As a Levi, I consider myself as being of the Levi tribe. Even though the Levis
where not allotted land but were divided among the other 11 tribes to be the
priests and I presume , protectors of the temples they still maintained their
tribal name of HaLevi. I also consider Cohens to be a sub tribe of Levis
(descendants of Aaron who was a Levi). Since one cannot become a Levi or Cohen
but must be a direct descendant of a male Levi or Cohen, then Levis (& Cohens)
are all direct male descendants of Levi ben Israel. Thus we or I have the same Y
chromosome as Levi ben Israel, ben Isaac, ben Abraham. I am under the assumption
that a male convert can be adopted into any of the other tribes but not Levi.
(or Cohen). You have to be born a priest. Ami I correct?"
Dear reader,
There are now only three Tribes; two, actually. Kohain, Levi and Yisroel.
Kohaniim are from the tribe of Levi. Therefore, I say two instead of three. It
is true that one is born into the Kohain/Levi tribe through male parentage and,
yes, they are directly descended from Aaron. One can not apply for membership in
the priestly tribe so if you aren't born to a father who is either a Kohain or a
Levi, you are, by default, a Yisroel.
Shalom,
Rabbi Dan
