Kohanim, Tribe of Levi to have 'family reunion'

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3280527,00.html ^ | 7/24/06 | Ynet News

[Blogger]

Kohanim, Tribe of Levi to have 'family reunion'

Groundbreaking 'Gathering of the Tribe' will include leading researchers and rabbis. Conference is set to take place in Jerusalem in summer 2007 Ynetnews

Recent scientific research and DNA testing has shown that today’s descendents of the biblical priesthood known as Kohanim are genetically related.

Although the descendents of Aharon, the brother of Moses, have spread throughout the world over the past 3,300 years, the members of this extended family are being invited to participate in the first ‘family reunion’ held since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE.

Participants from across the world will join tribe members for a stimulating and educational experience at the first ever international gathering of Kohanim and the Tribe of Levi, July 15-19, 2007 in Jerusalem. These dates coincide with the biblically noted date of Aharon the High Priest’s death, the first day of the Hebrew month of Av.

“We are excited by the interest seen so far. This is not only the first family reunion of the Jewish priestly dynasty in nearly 2000 years, it is an important conference which will inform, inspire, and motivate,” explains conference organizer Rabbi Yaakov Kleiman. “The research and information we will share will play an important role in appreciating and maintaining our unique and precious heritage.”

The “Kohanim and Tribe of Levi Conference” will address the importance of promoting and seeking peace among the Jewish nation. The program will thus include a wide-spectrum of speakers and activities in an effort to attract the interests and bridge gaps between Jews from all backgrounds.

Priestly family

Kohanim are the priestly family of the Jewish people. The Torah describes the anointment of Aharon, the brother of Moses, as the first High Priest. The books of Exodus and Leviticus describe the responsibilities of the Kohanim, which include the Temple service, blessing of the people and spiritual healing.

The Kohanim are a family of the Tribe of Levi, the tribe that was chosen for Holy service.

Molecular geneticists have recently discovered the “Cohen Modal Haplotype” which is a Y- chromosome DNA lineage signature shared by a majority of both Ashkenazi and Sefardi Kohanim.

This indicates a direct patrilineal descent of present day Kohanim from a single ancient ancestor, genetically dated to have lived approximately 3300 years ago, a time corresponding to the Exodus from Egypt

[Alouette]

"Beta Israel" are from India, the "Falash Mura" are from Ethiopia.

There is serious doubt that the Falash Mura are Jews. They are Christians who have incorporated some Jewish worship.

There was an article in the Jerusalem Post or Haaretz not long ago in which a Falash Mura woman complained she was having difficulty integrating into Israeli society. She claimed it was racism, but she had this great big cross tattoed on her forehead!

[Quix]

Supposedly all those issues have already been successfully addressed.

Supposedly the pieces of the Temple are already in waiting.

Supposedly it could be erected in a matter of days. I forget how many . . . perhaps something like 30-120 days or so.

[Blogger]

With the similarity in some of Japan's words and customs to Hebrew customs and words, do they claim that Japan is related to a specific tribe?

[Alouette]

Don't forget some Native American tribes.

[rightwingcrazy]

"Bene Israel", among others claiming Jewish origin, are from India. But Beta Israel and Falash Mura are both from Ethiopia.

From Wikipedia:

The Beta Israel (or "House of Israel"), known by outsiders by the term Falasha ("exiles" or "strangers"), a term that they consider to be pejorative, are Jews of Ethiopian origin. Under the provisions of Israel's Law of Return (1950), over 90,000 (over 85%) of them have emigrated to Israel, most notably during Operation Moses and Operation Solomon, but also continuing until the present time. The related Falash Mura are Ethiopian Jews who converted to Christianity in the past, but have since returned to Judaism.

[Blogger]

I've heard that as well, though I heard that DNA had ruled that out. I don't know how they could claim that. I mean how many of the tribes DNA do we have? I suppose you could get it from ancient bones, but I doubt they would want to do that.

[Blogger]

Is this the group related to Haile Sallase???(not sure if I spelled that right)

[Alouette]

The related Falash Mura are Ethiopian Jews who converted to Christianity in the past, but have since returned to Judaism.

From Jewish Exponent:

For Israelis concerned about the prudence of Ethiopian aliyah, the questions of whether or not the Falash Mura are Jews - and under what circumstances their progenitors converted to Christianity - are of paramount importance.

Unlike the Beta Israel, who maintained a distinct Jewish identity in Ethiopia for centuries, epitomized by their observance of Shabbat and their rejection of Jesus as the messiah, the Falash Mura converted to Christianity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Though many advocates of Falash Mura aliyah maintain that the conversions resulted from economic and social pressures, scholars of Ethiopian Jewish history find little evidence of this.

On the contrary, according to Steven Kaplan's The Beta Israel (Falasha) in Ethiopia: From Earliest Times to the Twentieth Century, those who converted were far more likely to face social and economic exclusion than those who remained Jews. The converts faced ostracism both from the Jews whose tradition they rejected, and from the Christians who refused to accept them as full-fledged members of their communities because they were members of the lowly Beta Israel caste.

[...]

In interviews last year in the Ethiopian province of Gojam with Beta Israel peasants who had not yet migrated to the cities, villagers demonstrated no knowledge of Judaism whatsoever. Indeed, until their contact with American Jewish groups working in the cities, they'd never heard of the Torah, never observed any Jewish holidays or rituals, and professed a belief in Jesus. Many have crosses tattooed on their foreheads or wear crosses around their necks.

[rightwingcrazy]

Except for that thingy on her forehead, she kind of looks Jewish.

[rightwingcrazy]

I think he thought so, maybe.

[Alexander Rubin]

Baruch Ha'Shem.

[Alexander Rubin]

You're forgetting Benjamin.

Generally confused with Judah, but they are still around, I believe. Slightly different burial practices.

Also, the Indian Jews were recently recognized as descendents of Menashe.

[tang-soo]

They're two tribes left out of the original 12: Judah and Levi. But these days they're all Jews.

Just to be clear. There are several references to Israelites who left the apostate northern kingdom prior to it being "carried away" by the Assyrians.

As an example, this passage from Luke 2 when Jesus is brought to the Temple to be blesses ...

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

Also, in Revelation 7 is the passage detailing the 144,000 sealed ...

1)After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.

2) Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:

3) "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God."

4) Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

5)From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
from the tribe of Gad 12,000,

6) from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,

7)from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,

8)from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

It is interesting to note that there are actually 14 divisions. The 12 "sons" and the sons of Joseph - Manasseh and Ephraim, resulting from their father's double blessing. So there were actually 13 tribes or groups traveling the desert.

In this Revelation passage, Joseph is mentioned while Dan and Ephraim are not. This is believed by some because in Genesis 49 Dan has this said about him ...

Dan will be a serpent by the roadside,
a viper along the path,
that bites the horse's heels
so that its rider tumbles backward.

During the blessing given by his father which is odd because the proceeding verse says ... "Dan will provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel.

Finally the tribe of Ephraim led the apostasy of the Northern Kingdom and in many passages, the entire apostate nation was given the title Ephraim.

[Zionist Conspirator]

They're two tribes left out of the original 12: Judah and Levi. But these days they're all Jews.

Actually, I believe that many from the "lost" Ten Tribes returned later so that the Jews today include all twelve tribes. One of Mashiach's tasks will be to indentify the tribe of each Jew.

Much as I'd love the irony of us rednecks being Israelites, I've never put much stock in the "lost tribes" thingie.

[Zionist Conspirator]

The prayers say the Temple will be rebuilt. It is only a question of when.

I never said otherwise.

[Zionist Conspirator]

The community in India is "Benei Yisra'el." The Ethiopian community calls itself "Beita' Yisra'el" and considers the term "Falasha" an insult.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Supposedly all those issues have already been successfully addressed.

Supposedly the pieces of the Temple are already in waiting.

Supposedly it could be erected in a matter of days. I forget how many . . . perhaps something like 30-120 days or so.

The problem is that (as I understand it) many Halakhic authorities insist that duplicating the stones or implements of the Temple prior to its being rebuilt is strictly forbidden, so according to those authorities these stones are not kosher and can't be used, but I'm not an expert here (can you help me, Alouette?). But the Temple will be rebuilt, of that there is no doubt.

[Quix]

Hadn't heard that one.

Somehow, I suspect the parts currently set aside will be used

OR

God Almighty will do something supernatural that shocks everyone vis a vis the Temple.

[Ancesthntr]

G-d Almighty will do something supernatural that shocks everyone vis a vis the Temple.

Maybe an errant missile targetted on Jerusalem by the Hezbollah savages will hit the Dome of the Crock.

Well, I can dream, can't I?

[Quix]

Sure. I dream all the time.

HE certainly COULD do it that way.

However, I have a hunch that in this era of the close of history as we've more or less heard of it . . .

God is going to be rather . . . particular . . . about sharing HIS GLORY. Usually, I think He just won't do it and if and when He does, it will be via His Servants, earnest Believers who truly Love Him and Love people and who walk in a cloak of genuine humility etc.

My suspicion is, that God is MORE likely to do away with the Dome of The Rock etc. via HIS OWN OBVIOUS ACTIONS.

Though, supposedly, some research asserts that there is room for the new Temple over the authentic Holy Of Holies site without disturbing the Dome of The Rock.

Personally, regardless of where the original Holy of Holies spot is located, I do not expect God to allow the Dome of The Rock to be that close to HIS TEMPLE regardless of it being symbolic or whatever. Because it will represent HIM in any sense, I expect HIM to be very jealous about it and it's location and to not allow anything to crowd or usurp or tag alongside of etc. in any sense of the word.

We shall see.