by Hana Levi Julian
July 15 2007
(IsraelNN.com) A four-day International
Conference of Descendants of the
biblical figure Aaron, the Priestly
Tribe (Kohanim) and the whole Tribe of
Levi to which the Kohanim are a
part, begins on Sunday, July 15.
“Bring
forth Aharon’s sons….Then anoint them,
just as you anointed their father, so
that they will be Kohanim ("priests") to
Me. It will be done so that their
anointing will make them an eternal
[hereditary] priesthood for all
generations. Moses proceeded to do
exactly as G-d had commanded him.”
(Exodus 40:14, 15)
Throughout Jewish history and to this
day, Jews are careful to note which
families belong to the tribe of Levi and
the priestly family of Aaron. At the
special gathering this week in
Jerusalem, they will learn more about
their roots and discuss the latest
research proving their genetic ties.
The International Conference of Kohanim
and the Tribe of Levi falls on the first
day of the Hebrew month of Av and the
beginning of the nine-day period leading
up to Tisha B’Av, the second-most solemn
fast day in the Jewish calendar.
It is also the date on which Aharon the
High Priest, brother of Moses left this
world to enter the World to Come.
Recent scientific research and DNA
testing has allegedly proven a genetic
connection between the descendants of
the Tribe of Levi, the biblical priests
and their assistants who began with the
sons of Aharon.
Project director Professor Karl Skorecki,
one of the main researchers in the
seminal “Kohen Genetic Signature” study,
is scheduled to present the findings
Monday, July 16 at 11:30 a.m. in
“HaKotel Hall” auditorium, near the
Western Wall Plaza.
“This is not only the first family
reunion of the Jewish priestly dynasty
in nearly 2,000 years,” said conference
organizer Rabbi Yaakov Kleiman in a
statement sent to the media. “The
research and information we will share
will play an important role in
appreciating and maintaining our unique
and precious heritage.” Rabbi Kleiman
is the director of The Center for
Kohanim in Jerusalem and the author of
“DNA & Tradition.”
Molecular geneticists have recently
discovered the “Kohen Modal Haplotype,”
a Y-chromosome DNA lineage signature
shared by a majority of both Ashkenazic
and Sephardic Kohanim.
This indicates direct patrilineal
descent of present-day Kohanim from an
ancient ancestor, genetically dated to
have lived approximately 3,000 years
ago, corresponding to the time of the
Exodus from Egypt.
Kohanim and other “members of the
tribe,” the Levi’im (Levites), are being
invited to participate in what has been
billed as the “first ‘family reunion’
held since the days of the Temple in
Jerusalem.”
Four days of seminars, touring,
presentations of the latest research and
lectures by leading rabbis and
scientists on such topics as genetic
genealogy, biblical history and
contemporary issues in the Jewish legal
arena will be offered in English as well
as Hebrew.
For more information,
click here or call
The Center for Kohanim at
02-626-0632.
