Dr. Karl Skorecki, a Cohen of Eastern European parents, was attending synagogue one morning. The Cohen called up for the Torah reading that morning was a Jew of Sephardic background, whose parents were born in North Africa.Dr. Skorecki looked at the Sephardi Cohen's physical features and considered his own physical features.They were significantly different in stature, skin coloration and hair and eye color. Yet both had a tradition of being Cohanim, direct descendants of one man -- Aaron, the brother of Moses.
Cohanim (plural of Cohen) are the priestly family of the Jewish people, members of the Tribe of Levi.The books of Exodus and Leviticus describe the responsibilities of the Cohanim, which include the Temple service and blessing of the people. The Torah (the first five books of the Bible) describes the anointing of Aaron, the brother of Moses, as the first High Priest (Cohen Gadol).
Jewish tradition, based on the Torah, is that all Cohanim are direct descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses. The Cohen line is patrilineal -- passed from father to son without interruption for 3,300 years, or more than 100 generations.
The Cohen line is patrilineal -- passed from father to son without interruption for 3,300 years.
Dr. Skorecki considered, "According to tradition, this Sephardi Cohen and I have a common ancestor. Could this line have been maintained since Sinai, and throughout the long exile of the Jewish people?" As a scientist, he wondered, could such a claim be tested?
Being a nephrologist and a top-level researcher at the University of Toronto and the Rambam-Technion Medical Center in Haifa, he was involved in the breakthroughs in molecular genetics which are revolutionizing medicine and the study of the life-sciences. He was also aware of the newly developing application of DNA analysis to the study of history and population diversity.
Dr. Skorecki considered a hypothesis: if the Cohanim are descendants of one man, they should have a common set of genetic markers -- a common haplotype -- that of their common ancestor. In our case, Aaron HaCohen.
HOW IT WORKS
A genetic marker is a variation in the nucleotide sequence of the DNA, known as a mutation. Mutations which occur within genes -- a part of the DNA which codes for a protein -- usually cause a malfunction or disease and is lost due to selection in succeeding generations. However, mutations found in so-called "non-coding regions" of the DNA tend to persist.
Since the Y chromosome consists almost entirely of non-coding DNA (except for the genes determining maleness), it would tend to accumulate mutations. Since it is passed from father to son without recombination, the genetic information on a Y chromosome of a man living today is basically the same as that of his ancient male ancestors, except for the rare mutations that occur along the hereditary line.
A combination of these neutral mutations, known as a haplotype, can serve as a genetic signature of a man's male ancestry. Maternal genealogies are also being studied by means of the m-DNA (mitrocondrial DNA), which is inherited only from the mother.
THE SEARCH BEGINS
Dr. Skorecki made contact with Professor Michael Hammer, of the University of Arizona, a leading researcher in molecular genetics and a pioneer in Y chromosome research. Professor Hammer uses DNA analysis to study the history of populations, their origins and migrations. His previous research included work on the origins of the Native American Indians and the development of the Japanese people.
A study was undertaken to test the hypothesis. If there were a common ancestor, the Cohanim should have common genetic markers at a higher frequency than the general Jewish population.
In the first study, as reported in the prestigious British science journal, Nature (January 2, 1997), 188 Jewish males were asked to contribute some cheek cells from which their DNA was extracted for study. Participants from Israel, England and North America were asked to identify whether they were a Cohen, Levi or Israelite, and to identify their family background.
The results of the analysis of the Y chromosome markers of the Cohanim and non-Cohanim were indeed significant. A particular marker, (YAP-) was detected in 98.5 percent of the Cohanim, and in a significantly lower percentage of non-Cohanim.
FURTHER CONFIRMATION
In a second study, Dr. Skorecki and associates gathered more DNA samples and expanded their selection of Y chromosome markers. Solidifying their hypothesis of the Cohens' common ancestor, they found that a particular array of six chromosomal markers was found in 97 of the 106 Cohens tested. This collection of markers has come to be known as the Cohen Modal Hapoltype (CMH) -- the standard genetic signature of the Jewish priestly family. The chances of these findings happening at random is greater than one in 10,000.
The finding of a common set of genetic markers in both Ashkenazi and Sephardi Cohanim worldwide clearly indicates an origin pre-dating the separate development of the two communities around 1000 CE. Date calculation based on the variation of the mutations among Cohanim today yields a time frame of 106 generations from the ancestral founder of the line, some 3,300 years -- the approximate time of the Exodus from Egypt, the lifetime of Aaron HaCohen.
Date calculations based on the mutations yield a time frame for the Cohen line of some 3,300 years!
Professor Hammer was recently in Israel for the Jewish Genome Conference. He confirmed that his findings are consistent -- over 80 percent of self-identified Cohanim have a common set of markers.
The finding that less than one-third of the non-Cohen Jews who were tested possess these markers is not surprising to the geneticists. Jewishness is not defined genetically. Other Y-chromosomes can enter the Jewish gene pool through conversion or through a non-Jewish father. Jewish status is determined by the mother. Tribe membership follows the father's line.
AMAZING STATISTICS
Calculations based on the high rate of genetic similarity of today's Cohanim resulted in the highest "paternity-certainty" rate ever recorded in population genetics studies -- a scientific testimony to family faithfulness.
Stated Dr. David Goldstein of Oxford University:
"For more than 90 percent of the Cohens to share the same genetic markers after such a period of time is a testament to the devotion of the wives of the Cohens over the years. Even a low rate of infidelity would have dramatically lowered the percentage."
[Science News, October 3, 1998]
Wider genetic studies of diverse present day Jewish communities show a remarkable genetic cohesiveness. Jews from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, North Africa and European Ashkenazim all cluster together with other Semitic groups, with their origin in the Middle East. A common geographical original can be seen for all mainstream Jewish groups studied.
This genetic research has clearly refuted the libel that the Ashkenazi Jews are not related to the ancient Hebrews, but are descendants of the Kuzar tribe -- a pre-10th century Turko-Asian empire which reportedly converted en masse to Judaism. Researchers compared the DNA signature of the Ashkenazi Jews against those of Turkish-derived people, and found no correspondence.
OTHER SURPRISING FINDINGS
In their second published paper in Nature (July 9, 1998) the researchers included an unexpected finding. Those Jews in the study who identified themselves as Levites did not show a common set of markers as did the Cohanim. The Levites clustered in three groupings, one of them the CMH. According to tradition, the Levites should also show a genetic signature from a common paternal patrilineal ancestor. The researchers are now focusing effort on the study of Levites' genetic make up to learn more about their history in the Diaspora.
Using the CMH as a DNA signature of the ancient Hebrews, researchers are pursuing a hunt for Jewish genes around the world.
This research could have ramifications in the search for the Biblical Ten Lost Tribes
This could have ramifications in the search for the Biblical Ten Lost Tribes.
Using the genetic markers of the Cohanim as a yardstick, these genetic archaeologists are using DNA research to discover historical links to the Jewish people.
The researchers' policy is that the research is not a test of individuals, but an examination of the extended family. Having the CMH is not a proof of one's being a Cohen, for the mother's side is also significant in determining one's Cohen status. At present, there are no ramifications in Jewish law due to this discovery. No one is certified nor disqualified because of their Y chromosome markers.
The research has shown a clear genetic relationship amongst Cohanim and their direct lineage from a common ancestor. The research findings support the Torah statements that the line of Aaron will last throughout history:
"... and they shall have the Priesthood as a statute forever, and you shall consecrate Aaron and his sons." [Exodus 29:9]
"... it shall be for them an appointment to an everlasting Priesthood throughout their generations." [Exodus 40:15]
"And it shall be to him and to his descendants after him a covenant of everlastingPriesthood." [Numbers 25:13]
That our Torah tradition is supported by these findings is an inspiration for many that God surely keeps His promises. May we soon see the Cohanim restored to their service, Levites on their Temple platform and Israelites at their places.
If you are a Cohen or Levi interested in participating in the DNA research and/or receiving further information please contact:
Center For Cohanim,
3 Rehov HaMekubalim,
Old City, Jerusalem, Israel
Phone/Fax: (02) 628-9243
Email: ymkleiman@hotmail.com
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Thanks to Professor Edward Simon, microbiologist at Purdue University, lecturer and board member of the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists, for his expert input.
(29) Augusto Charan Alves Barbosa Gonçalves, January 19, 2021 4:36 AM
Cohen from Trás-Os-Montes (Portugal) to Bahia (Brazil).
Hello. I am a Sephardic Jew. I read the article on Aish.com entitled "The Cohanin - DNA Connection" and decided to send this comment to say that I am a descendant of Cohanin. I recently did DNA tests on me and my parents and was accused of what we already knew: Sephardic Jewish genetic load (Autosomal - DNA). My Y-DNA (R1b-P25 OR R-P25), inherited from my paternal great-grandfather named Germano (Germany in Portuguese) Barbosa Teixeira (from a Jewish family in Trás-Os-Montes) has already been cataloged as DNA Cohanin (https: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y-chromosomal_Aaron). My maternal mitochondrial haplogroup is X3a (widely found in Spain, North Africa and in Druze, Israel). I would like to participate in research on this fascinating subject. Best regards, Prof. Dr. Augusto Charan Alves Barbosa Gonçalves,
(28) Anonymous, January 5, 2021 7:35 AM
True line ?
1. Ruth: The DNA of Ruth became part of the targeted DNA pool. 2. Babylonian Exile: All Cohanitic families of the Salomonic Temple (the Bait Rischon) were deported to Babylon and were kept off from return (see Prophet Jecheskiel = Ezechiel). 3. Hellenism in Judaea: Since the last 250 years before the destruction of the Second Temple, the traditional line of Priesthood was discontinued. The Priesthood was from then on illegitimately acquiereable by purchase even by gentiles. The Chohanim of the non hellenistic Priests did not mix with priests of the hellenic Zeus cults. They old line cohanim never returned to the temple service. 4. Any bat cohen, that maried an Israelite carries the DNA. So the genetic pool is wider as included. 5. Levites: The descendency of Levites is as patriarchal as those of cohanim within the denomitated tribe. Therefore the designed DNA trace fails.
(27) Khalid A Mahdi, January 11, 2020 6:50 PM
Excellent
I was well informed about this subject now I want to learn more....
(26) Joseph Campbell, July 18, 2019 4:06 AM
Is there a DNA or gene available for all the tribes of Israel?
All he tribes of Israel were scattered throughout the planet for thousands of years. Can the DNA evidence from these tribes be completely eliminated or washed away. Or is there that little bit of proof still there to identify anyone to be a distance member of any particular tribe? I'm very interested in the answer to this question.
(25) Richard, January 24, 2019 4:46 AM
This was very interesting and informative.
(24) David Bentvi, June 14, 2015 8:46 PM
Cohanim Genetic Marker - any update?
If all Levites including Aaron were descended from Levy, a common male ancestor, shouldn't all Levites including Cohanim have the same genetic makers. Or at least all those descended from the common father of Aaron and Moses? And if we can say for certainty what the genetic marker is for descendants of Aaron, why not their common ancestor Abraham, our fathe?r Has there been any update on these tests since this article was written in 2000?
(23) MMeredith Preble, March 26, 2014 1:35 PM
question of DNA
Where is there proof of an uninterrupted line and was any DNA from Aaron kept? Genetic proof is scientifically shown to be from a mother, so how can these assertions be correct? Where is the proof? Thank you
(22) Philip Kirschner, January 21, 2014 1:45 PM
Not Orthodox but on that PATH
For to long, I have dabled in other faiths, and found nothing but heartache. I ran from my faith for many years. My adoptive father said, I was a special kind of JEW. I never understood it till now. He said that I did not have to turn around in SHUL during the blessing by KOHANIM, and now i understand why. But, I am not sure. How does one get tested?
(21) Anonymous, January 7, 2014 1:01 PM
The problem is that there are two genetic signatures that claim cohen priestly genetic status .. one is a sub clade of J1 and the other is a subclade of J2 ... they can't both be right now can they !! Most people favour the J1 group as true cohenim .. J1 and J2 separated from each other ten thousand years ago .. so which one id the false line ??
(20) Anonymous, July 9, 2012 3:00 PM
Wants to be DNA tested in Brooklyn. How?
Also, Do you know of any program in Brooklyn training cohanim for the Temple service? If not existing, how about getting it done now? I am very interested, and so are other cohanim I know of.
(19) Dale, January 10, 2012 5:39 PM
We are all decendants of Noah's sons. So it is not surprising there are gentic similiarities from people in Africa to Jews. We are all cousins. All our forefathers were brothers.
(18) Kirimi, April 25, 2011 8:39 PM
African tribes with Jewish D.N.A
I read on research that was carried on an African tribe called the Lembaa(found in Malawi,Mozambique) and it was found that they were 60% semetic with the Buba(priests) having the CMH!... Apart from the Lembaa there are other tribes in their mythology tracing lineage from Israel e.g the Ameru of Kenya. A research would put to rest these myths
(17) sergio, October 26, 2008 3:22 PM
the levin gene
Hy rabbi Kleiman.A very very interesting article, the investigation of the levin´s gene is still on course as we can read in your article.How can we participate of this experiment, as a DNA sample donner, and there´s any university in latin america (brazil)colaborating in these tests?Thanks
(16) Ken, February 28, 2008 6:32 PM
Very Interesting.
Thanks for this. Yet another testimony to the trustworthiness of Tanach; the Cohens are truly descended from one man.
(15) Milton Kleinman, June 25, 2007 4:33 PM
Enlightened
In my temple before evening prayers, there are discussions about origins,ergo, Cohanim, Levis, and Israelites. Your articles have so much pertinent information.
(14) PeterBaiamonte, November 29, 2006 2:32 PM
I have been dna tested and found to have the Cohen Modal Haplotype gene.
The Cohen Modal Haplotype markers are as foloows: DYS19=14, DYS388=16, DYS390=23, DYS391=10, DYS392=11, and DYS393=12. Dr. Bennett Greenspan of FamilytreeDNA conducted the testing on my specimen.
(13) Kathleen Bown, July 5, 2006 12:00 AM
What a great god we have!
I just would like to say that our God is true to his word, if he says somethings is going to last forever, it does. I am so thrilled to see yet again of Gods handiwork that he has kept the priesthood line of Aaron!
(12) Richard E Amsterdam, June 9, 2006 12:00 AM
Y-Chromosome
My family recently participated in the National Geographic Genographic DNA study. Our male line traced its roots from the Middle East across North Africa to Spain - just as our family tradition held. We are interested in the Cohanim DNA study since our family tradition says that we are Cohanim.
Richard E Amsterdam
(11) Jorge Cohen, May 31, 2006 12:00 AM
Very Interesting
First time i read about this study. Very interesting the way science can be used for religious purposes. Shalom
(10) Anonymous, January 30, 2006 12:00 AM
Old and new historical/launguage/cultural sources have revealed Jewish roots among Finnish people. We have in Finland not only a tribe of Isschar, but others too. The situation is the same in many other European countries, as you know. How you could help us Finns? - Do you have any suitabel test to use for getting new scientific evidence of it. Many of Finns "know" intuitively "I am Jewish", "I have Jewish roots". But we do not discuss about this thing openly, because officially there are only about 2000 Orthodox Jews, mainly living in Helsinki. But amount of Jewish people (mixed)is much more, ten thousands or hundres thousands Finns. I suppose it will come quite soon "a right time" to reveal this Finnish seacret. Today it is a searcret to many Finns, too. Maybe DNA and Blood tests should help us. Fe. my mother died 4 years ago and she had a "Jewish, genetic desease". - I am a privat person. If you like, you can answer to me. Yours Tuula-Hannele
(9) Brenda Strano, November 15, 2005 12:00 AM
Both my parents last names are Cohen.
Dear Rabbi Kleiman,
I just read your article. I am very interested in this because both of my parents last names are Cohen.My grandparents were from Russia, Romania, Poland and Austria. Does that mean that I am definately from the Kohanim tribe? Sincerely, Brenda
(8) chanoch Taub, June 14, 2005 12:00 AM
Just finished book DNA & Tradition really interesting.
(7) Sandy, March 15, 2005 12:00 AM
DNA
My mother is a Cohanim, my father was a Levite. My mother from an ultra Orthodox family which married within the family, as did my father's. My sister and I recently had our DNA conducted by a company called DNAprint.com, which we saw on a Fox local news special. My DNA came back as: 91% Indo European and 9% Native American. My blood sister's returned as: 97% Caucasion and N. European and 3% Asian. Looking at my paternal grandmother's family which is extremely large, all were Blonds, fair skin, blue eyes, originatin in Latvia and then Belarus. My paternal grandfather, from Kiev, extremely dark, straight hair. My maternal grandmother's family were fair, reddish, but wish slightly slanted eyes and high cheek bones. I then went onto the Jewish Arch. website and saw a DNA study they are conducting and it also lists Native American. It's obvious that the Native American is from the N. Siberian area where tribal wars and village battles infused with Jewish blood. Are Jews more mixed, than we think, even though we can trace Jewish lineage? It's important for health reasons, ethnic diseases, etc. In addition, many years ago I saw an article that stated a n American Indian tribe had the same fingerprint swirls as Jews. This makes me believe in my DNA even more. Perhaps we need to expand our DNA search to include Jews and ethnic groups which we "think" we have no link with.
(6) Chicago, December 21, 2004 12:00 AM
Incredibly informative
This is a great article. I would like to find links in Chicago to find out more about this matter. Can they test anyone and find out their DNA link? Thanks for everything AISH.COM!!!
(5) geoff anderson, April 14, 2003 12:00 AM
Concise, informative, interesting.
I think that this information would be of interest to Gentiles as well as Jews.
It provides an important link in history
should appear both in science and in history textbooks on the elementary and secondary levels in schools.
(4) Anonymous, February 3, 2001 12:00 AM
Jewish Genes and History
Studies like these can help present genetical evidence which corresponds to the historical, linguistic, and folkloric facts. They also help to disprove certain anti-Jewish "theories" with political agendas, that "Jews are not of Semitic origin". A very good study and article indeed.
(3) Dr Steve Sattler, January 16, 2001 12:00 AM
an exciting start- we need some more exactingstudies
We need to seek a more common series (or sets of serieses) to show a highly probably connection between allcohanim
(2) Simon Ruvinov, January 2, 2001 12:00 AM
Basically I wanted to learn about my herritage, and I've learned more then I thought I would. I never understood what it was to be a cohain until I read this article.
(1) Benny, April 29, 2000 12:00 AM
there are more people claiming descent from Aaron HaCohen
It appears that they have dicovered a Tribe living in Zimbabwe that has a high incidence of that y chromosone known to have descended from Aaron. They are known as the Lemba, and even though they practise Christianity claim to be born a Jew.There are approximately 50-70000 Lembas and the male population displayed a high incidence of the Cohen chromosone(8.8%-similar to what was found in the Israelite population. A senior Lemba clan known as the Buba was as high as 53.8%