Questions tagged [genealogy]
The study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history.
30
questions
7
votes
2answers
665 views
which kings must Moshiach descend from?
Moshiach must definitionally descend from David, and according to this answer he must also descend from Shlomo. However, Moshiach cannot descend from Yehoaichin because of Yirmiyahu's curse.
Are ...
8
votes
3answers
869 views
Is there any precedent to read the first 11 chapters of Genesis as metaphorical?
I believe this will be related to a similar question about a statement by Rabbi Sacks. Rabbi Jeremy Wieder said in a lecture titled Non Literal Interpretation of Scripture in Jewish Tradition (and ...
19
votes
9answers
19k views
Are there any Jewish people alive today who can identify themselves as coming from a particular tribe?
The Christian "New Testament" claims Paul (Saul) was of the tribe of Benjamin.
Since Roman times have there been any people who can validly claim they were from a particular tribe?
At least at that ...
12
votes
1answer
17k views
Does a finding of Jewish blood in a DNA test make one Jewish?
I had a DNA test done and the results say that my DNA is group with Sephardic Jews. My last name is Steen and I have always heard that we were of Dutch ancestry and I do genealogy and have not found ...
3
votes
2answers
910 views
Surrogate mother
If a fetus has been formed in a mother and then deposited in a surrogate mother, who is considered the mother? In other words, does the mother's 'seed' make her the mother?
The story of Yosef and ...
6
votes
1answer
634 views
Children of Converts and Specific halachos
The Pri Megadim in OC Siman 156 Ashel Avraham Sif-Katan 2 writes that a child that was conceived in kedusha (sanctity) and born in kedusha to a mother and father that had both converted (i.e. these 2 ...
6
votes
1answer
7k views
Who are the descendants of King David today?
Since the Messiah should come from the line of David, I think it is necessary to know the family line of a person who claims to be the Messiah.
Do we still have the descendants of King David today?
...
6
votes
2answers
725 views
Can any kohanim trace all the way back to Aaron?
Can any kohanim alive today trace their lineage all the way back to the High Priest Aaron? If not, who can go the farthest?
11
votes
2answers
945 views
Why 1,000 generations of ungiven Torah, not X years?
The Mainz Anonymous reads, in part (in my own translation):
He created the Torah 974 generations before the world was created, then twenty-six generations [passed] from the creation of the world ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
What historical figures have been identified as 'Amalek?
Adolf Hitler is often said to have been from 'Amalek. I've even heard it said not only figuratively but literally (how one could know that is a mystery to me).
What other historical figures are ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Can the descendants of a mamzer ever become full Jews?
Is there any way for the descendants of a mamzer to ever become Jews with full rights, or are they stuck with mamzerus forever? For example, if a man who is a mamzer marries a non-Jew, and then their ...
7
votes
2answers
984 views
What was so good about Naamah the Ammonite?
In Bava Kamma 38b we are told that one reason God spared Lot was because of the two good birds who would issue from his daughters. Rus from Moav and Naamah from Ammon. Rus is well known, the only ...
asked Apr 14 '13 at 20:44
not-allowed to change my name
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4
votes
1answer
160 views
What is the purpose of the genealogy of Genesis 4:17-22?
What is the purpose of the genealogy of Genesis 4:17–22?
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Why are children from a gentile wife not considered Jewish with a Jewish father?
Why are children who have a Jewish Father and gentile mother not considered Jewish?
2
votes
2answers
195 views
Grandsons of Keturah
In Sefer HaYashar, Perek 25, it lists the grandsons of Avraham and Keturah. However, in Tanakh (Chayei Sarah and Divrei HaYamim), it specifically choses to only tell us the names of Yokshan and Midian'...
11
votes
1answer
235 views
Maharshal's position about the status of Kohanim today
R Shlomo Luria, in Yam Shel Shelomo Bava Kamma 5:35, discusses the status of property nowadays declared by its owner cherem for Kohanim. He takes a strong position against the validity of modern ...
9
votes
1answer
353 views
Extent of matrilineal descent [duplicate]
Am I a Jew if my mother's mother's mother's mother's mother was a Jew? Even if along the line one of my foremothers converted to another faith? I'd just like a better understanding of matrilineal ...
5
votes
2answers
273 views
Yocheved is the daughter of who?
So Yocheved, as it is known, is the wife of Amram,mother of Moshe Rabbeinu, Aharon HaCohen, and Miriam the prophetess, peace be on them. And Yocheved, like Amram, is from the Tribe of Levi.
Amram is ...
1
vote
1answer
717 views
What percentage of Jews are descendants of Abraham?
From my limited understanding of the religion being Jewish requires being born of Jewish parents or following some moderately complex procedures. From that I would assume that every Jew alive today ...
13
votes
2answers
2k views
What is a “Sephardic Jew”?
My name is Paul Avila (yea, I know, doesn't sound Jewish at all) I was born in the Azores Portugal and moved to the United States when I was 2. People always ask me if I am Persian. Never ...
11
votes
4answers
403 views
Did Levi see Moshe and Aaron?
Exodus 6:16 states that Levi lived for 137 years. The Targum Yonatan, (ibid) says:
××××× ×©×××Ŗ ×× ×× ×××× ××××××”×××× ××Øש×× ×§××Ŗ ×××Ø×Ø× ××©× × ×××× ×××× ××× ××Ŗ××Ŗ×× ×ש××¢ ×©× ×× ×××× ×¢× ×××× ××Ŗ ××©× ×××Ŗ ×××Ø×× ...
7
votes
2answers
88 views
Why so much genealogical detail in Bereshit?
I'm looking for reasons (Pshat, but not only) in giving so much detail in Bereshit regarding the sons of Adam, Kain, and so on. Some of the characters born and die, and have no clear role, at least in ...
6
votes
2answers
4k views
Can you explain the concept of “Yichus”?
Where does the concept of yichus (meaning that the person descends from something akin to "good stock") come from? How is it judged?
Note: I am not asking about the halachic concept that a man must ...
asked Jun 28 '12 at 0:20
not-allowed to change my name
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6
votes
1answer
236 views
Was the Tzemach Tzedek related to the Metzudos Tziyon/Dovid? [closed]
The Tzemach Tzedek (of Lubavitch)'s father's name was Shalom Shachna Altshuler. Is he related to the Metzodos Tziyon?
5
votes
0answers
212 views
What tribe are the Bene Israel in India descended from?
What tribe(s) are the Bene Israel of India descended from?
4
votes
1answer
121 views
Messiah's tribal pedigree, and the Diaspora
How will the Messiah prove he is from the tribe of Judah if the diaspora has obliterated tribal delineation?
3
votes
1answer
138 views
Was Yael Jewish?
In Shoftim chapters 4 and 5 we learn of a woman named ×Öø×¢Öµ× ×ֵש×Ö¼Ö¶×Ŗ ×Ö¶×Ö¶×Ø ×ַקֵּ×× Ö“×, Yael the wife of Chever the Kenite, who kills Sisra. In the song of Devorah, the Midrash (Ruth Rabba 1:8) and ...
3
votes
0answers
92 views
Who was Naomi's mother?
I would like to know the genealogy of Naomi the mother in law of Rus. Specifically, who was her mother?
asked May 6 '14 at 2:52
not-allowed to change my name
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2
votes
1answer
216 views
Can Mitochondrial DNA testing be used to confirm Jewishness? [duplicate]
A friend of mine is having difficulty obtaining documents confirming the jewishness of their maternal line and thus they cannot confirm they are jewish.
Mitochondrial DNA is only passed down the ...
-2
votes
1answer
161 views
Historical ID lost can it be reclaimed
Could it be possible that many Hispanics who moved from Spain and having their family line coming from Jewish blood (Sephardi Jews), be actually Jews and not know it? There is a test now to check ...
