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Convert, Son of a Kohen
Question
Dear Rabbi,
My father was an Ashkenazi Jew and a Kohen [belonging to the priestly caste]; my mother was not Jewish. I am considering conversion and was pleased to read on your website that there is "Conservative responsa allowing the use of the father's name in cases in which the convert is the son of a Gentile woman and a Jewish man". Can I use the name "Kohen"?
Answer
The case we referred to on the website is that of a Jewish father.
Even though the child is considered to be born again when converted and not legally (according to Jewish law) his father's son, Conservative responsa allow him to be called son of...... (the father's name) instead of son of
Abraham. You could, of course, do that as well.
A Jew's status as either "Kohen", "Levi" or "Israel" is based on the father. However, if someone is born non-Jewish and then converts, he automatically is an "Israel" and cannot be a "Kohen". Being a Kohen means that one belongs to the priestly caste, which was in charge of Temple service during the First and Second Temple period. Today, vestiges of that status remain in the synagogue service. For example, a Kohen is the first to be called to the Torah
during the Torah reading service. A Kohen also blesses the congregation with the priestly benediction. According to Orthodox interpretation, the Kohen status also carries certain limitations, such as the proscription against marrying a divorcee or a convert. Today many Conservative rabbis
do officiate at such marriages. A Kohen is not permitted to be in close proximity to the dead, unless the departed is a parent or spouse. None of this
would apply to you after conversion. Therefore, you cannot be called a
"Kohen". I suggest you use your father's Hebrew name after conversion,
and not call yourself a "kohen" - since you will not have that status.
Rabbi Diana Villa
March 2007
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