Scientists have used DNA to find direct descendants of the ancient High Priest.

"The X-Files" reminds us that "the truth is out there." Dr. Karl Skorecki was determined to find it. The trail, however, was ice cold. After all, he was searching for evidence of someone who lived 3,300 years ago. But Skorecki, who is a researcher at the University of Toronto and the Rambam-Technion Medical Center in Haifa, had a secret weapon: DNA testing.

The target of the "manhunt" was Aharon, Moshe's brother, who was the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) of biblical times. According to the Torah, Aharon's male descendants, the Kohanim(priests), were responsible for many important jobs during the Temple service, including blessing the people. Although the Second Temple was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago, it is estimated that there are 350,000 kohanim in the world today. Dr. Karl Skorecki believed he was one of them.

Dr. Skorecki wondered if it was possible to prove that he and all Kohanim were direct descendants of Aharon, the High Priest. "Could this line," he asked, "have been maintained since Sinai, throughout the long exile of the Jewish people?"

He turned for help to Professor Michael Hammer of the University of Arizona. Together they designed a study that involved Jewish men from Israel, England, and North America. The subjects contributed some microscopic cells from the inside of their cheeks. Each also identified himself as a Kohen, Levi, or Yisrael. According to Skorecki, if all Kohanim were descended from one man (Aharon), they should have a common set of genetic markers.

The DNA results were stunning: A unique genetic marker, a "Kohen Gene" was detected in 98.5% of the subjects who identified themselves as Kohanim. The Kohen Gene was found in only a very small percentage of the other men. Additional studies have since confirmed the discovery. In fact, according to Professor Hammer, of all the self-identified Kohanim he has studied, 80% of them have the Kohen Gene. This story has one last incredible discovery. Since the number of changes in a person's DNA can be a way of measuring generations, Skorecki and Hammer were able to conclude that the original Y chromosome, which was shared by the test subjects, existed about 3,300 years ago-about the time Aharon lived.

Case closed.

Zoom In

A Who’s Who of Torah Honors
The KOHEN is a Jew of priestly descent. Kohanim were responsible for offering the sacrifices in the Holy Temple. For over 2,000 years, special honors have been reserved for the Kohanim. The Kohen is honored with the first aliyah to the Torah. On Jewish holidays (and every day in Israel), the kohanim bless the congregation (birkat kohanim).*

The LEVI is a member of the tribe of Levi who is not a direct descendent of Aharon. Levi’im assisted the Kohanim in the Temple Service. The second aliyah to the Torah is reserved for a Levi.

Most Jews today are YISRAELIM. Except for the first and second aliyot, all other aliyot can be taken by Yisraelim.

*When the Kohanim bless the congregation, they hold their fingers in an unusual way. Mr. Spock of the original “Star Trek” used this same hand sign as a Vulcan greeting. But that’s not surprising, because Leonard Nimoy, the  actor who played Mr. Spock, is a Kohen!