Priestly Caste - Reform View

Dear Tanta Golda,

I know that Reform Judaism considers someone Jewish if either parent is. What is our take on the priestly castes?

In priestly limbo, R.

My dear Priestess,

As you know, since the time following the destruction of the second Temple, one’s Jewishness was determined matrilineally, that is to say, if your mother was Jewish - you were considered Jewish. (You may be as surprised as I was to find out that this was not the case before then.)

The determination of one’s priestly cast however was passed on through the father’s side. Tanta Golda assumes that this was because men were the ones obligated to fulfill the various ritual duties,including sacrificial offerings of animals and schlepping the Tabernacle, while we women folk took care of the kinder and housework and telling our husbands what a wonderful job they were doing fulfilling the mitzvot.

Reform Judaism has always opted for the more egalitarian way of ritual participation. It has eliminated almost all of the ritual distinctions between women and men and between the castes of Kohen, Levi and Yisrael (non-priestly Jews). Most Reform communities do not call up a Kohen for the first aliyah, or perform the rituals of dukhenen (blessing the congregation on festivals) and pidyon ha-ben (redemption for a firstborn Jewish boy). I say most, because at the synagogue Tanta Golda attends, Temple Beth Israel, we are honored to have Jan Cohen come up and hallow us with the priestly blessing during the High Holy days. I would therefore think that there are other Reform Temples who still give out this honor as well.

Since most liberal communities do not observe the distinctions at all, regarding them as obstructing, rather than furthering modern spiritual elevation, there is no credo in Reform Judaism regarding the dissemination of caste status. In other words my dear, according to most scholars Tanta Golda checked with, the point is moot. However, I see no harm in bestowing the honor on your daughter if you feel so inclined.

May you be a blessing to your forebearers, whatever their distinctions. 

With love as always - Tanta Golda