Hi,
"I have seen someone write that in our day, when we don't have documented lineage for our kohanim, it would be appropriate for each kohen to be concerned that perhaps he may not be a kohen, and so he should return the redemption funds given to him in Pidyon haBen, and he may be obligated to separate money for himself for his own redemption. In my opinion, though, it is prohibited to hear such things, to reduce the level of the kohanim and cause their degradation. Gd forbid that one should say such a thing…."
[He then continues to bring halachic proof to his point.]
(R' Yechiel Michel Epstein, Aruch haShulchan Yoreh Deah 305:55)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
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Actually today geneticists have discovered a genetic marker that is exclusive among kohanim from all over the world and proves that they are descendants of the same ancestor. This is not yet considered halachic proof,but I think it should set to rest the mind of the kohanim concerning accepting pidyon ha ben
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteI am familiar with the research, but there are (at least) two reasons why it doesn't affect this: (1) The marker could be from pre-Aharon, and (2) The kohen could be a challal.