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Who’s a Levi and Who’s a Cohain

Answered by Rabbi Daniel FleksherFurther responses from Rabbi Eliahu Levenson

Question

The Torah tells us that Aaron and his sons (The descendants of Levi) are the priests.
Then, why are the Cohains known as priests?

Answer

Only Aaron and his sons were chosen to be priests from among all of the tribe of Levi. Priest is simply a translation of the Hebrew word “Cohain.” From that point on all of the descendents of the sons of Aaron would be the priests, or “Cohanim” (plural of Cohain). In other words, all priests (Cohains) are Levis, but Levis, except for the descendents of Aaron, are not Cohains.


Follow-up questions (2)

Question

If you are known to be of the Davidic line but not brought up Jewish, and want to marry a kohain, would this be allowed, if she converted?

Answer

There are two issues here – a Kohein cannot marry a convert, and the other is that one cannot convert to Judaism for the reason of marriage. Being of the Davidic line does not factor in.
Regards, Eliahu Levenson

Question

If a daughter of Cohain father marries a Levi, are the children Cohanim?

Answer

The status of a Jewish child depends upon the father. In your case, where the father is a Levi, the child will also be considered a Levi.