Cohanim: The Holy Servants of the Jewish People

The Cohanim are descendants of the Tribe of Levi, from the family of Aharon the Kohen. The Torah commands that only Aharon’s descendants can serve the Jewish people in the Temple and gives them a special status.

Like the rest of the Tribe of Levi, the Cohanim did not receive a share of land in Israel. Instead, they lived in groups among the different tribes.
Because their main focus was serving in the Temple and teaching mitzvot, the Torah commanded that they be supported through 24 types of gifts (Matanot Kehuna).

Cohanim have a unique holiness and the Torah commands them to maintain a higher level of sanctity. This is reflected in several mitzvot, such as:
• Not becoming impure by contact with the dead (including avoiding cemeteries).
• Restrictions on whom they may marry, such as not marrying a divorced woman.

What Happened in the Time of the Temple?
When the Beit HaMikdash stood, the Cohanim were divided into 24 groups (mishmarot), taking turns to serve in the Temple.
Each mishmar was further divided into seven family groups (batei av), with a different family serving each day.
In practice, each Kohen served only about two days per year!

What Happens Today?
After the destruction of the Temple, many of the Cohanim’s duties stopped.
However, several important mitzvot and customs remain, such as:
• Birkat Kohanim (the Priestly Blessing) in synagogue.
• Participating in the Pidyon HaBen ceremony (redeeming a firstborn son).
• Marriage restrictions and the laws of ritual purity regarding the dead.

The Sages taught that even without the Temple, the Kohen’s honor remains.
Therefore, we give them respect in ways such as:
• Calling the Kohen first to the Torah.
• Giving him the honor of leading Birkat HaMazon (Grace after Meals) and zimun.
• Offering him the first choice of a nice portion at meals.
• Not asking a Kohen to serve or work for others.

Fun Facts About Kohanim
Over the generations, many families with Kohen heritage kept names like "Cohen" or "Kahana."
Even those who changed their last names often left hints to their special lineage.
For example:
• "Mazeh" (מזאה) stands for M’Zera Aharon HaKohen — "from the seed of Aharon the Kohen."
• "Katz" (כ"ץ) stands for Kohen Tzedek — "a righteous Kohen."
• Some believe that the Moroccan family name "Azoulay" comes from the Hebrew initials of a verse about Kohanim’s marriage laws ("Isha Zonah Ve’Chalalah Lo Yikachu"). However, Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai (the Chida) disagreed, explaining that his family was not actually Kohanim.
Another explanation is that "Azoulay" might simply come from the Spanish word for "blue eyes."

The story of the Kohanim reminds us that every Jew carries a piece of our history and future — and that one day, when the Beit HaMikdash is rebuilt, the Kohanim will once again return to their full and honored service!