kohen

Kohen is a hereditary priestly status in Judaism, traditionally understood as descendants of Aaron, the brother of Moses, from the Tribe of Levi. The word kohen means priest in Hebrew, and the term denotes a specific lineage recognized in Jewish law.

In biblical times, kohanim served as priests in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. Their duties included offering sacrifices, maintaining ritual purity, and performing certain blessings and rites for the people. After the destruction of the Temple, the non-sacrificial, liturgical functions of the kohanim continued in synagogue life, where they may have particular honors and roles during services.

In modern practice, kohanim retain their status and may participate in ceremonial duties in accordance with local custom. The priestly blessing, Birkat Kohanim, drawn from Numbers 6, is traditionally performed by eligible kohanim during morning services on Shabbat and certain holidays in many communities. The status is generally inherited patrilineally, and genealogical proof is often required by traditional communities.

Certain ritual and ceremonial considerations continue to apply to kohanim, such as rules regarding ritual purity and eligibility for specific rites, though practices vary widely among Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and other Jewish movements. The kohen tradition also appears in contemporary culture and surnames (for example, Cohen), reflecting claimed priestly ancestry. In Israel and in Jewish communities worldwide, the kohen status influences various rites, including the acknowledgment of certain honors in synagogue services and the pidyon haben ceremony for the redemption of the firstborn.