The Convert and the Kohein

There is an interesting discussion in Masechet Yevamot, regarding the status of a girl under three years of age, who converted together with her parents. The question was whether she is regarded as a convert or like a born Jew.

The significance of this question has to do with her potential permissibility to marry a Kohein. The general rule is that a convert may not marry a Kohein.

The great Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, of Lag B’Omer fame, was of the opinion that three years old was the cut-off age. Below three was still a baby and the converted child should be considered a Jewess in every way. He used the war with Midyan as the precedent where girls of different ages were treated differently.He was the dissenting opinion and Jewish Law was not according to him. A convert of any age was forbidden to marry a Kohein.

We learn from this discussion that there was inherent holiness in the seed of the Kohein. This applied to the daughter of a Kohein as well. She was permitted to eat of the Teruma, which was sanctified food at an early age.

The Kohanim always had a special role among the Jewish people. In the Temple, this role was more pronounced, but even today, the Kohein is supposed to guard himself to live a more sanctified life.

This sanctity begins with whom the Kohein is permitted to marry. The wife is the pillar of the Jewish home. She, too, must come from proper lineage to carry on the sacred role of the Kohein. The command of וקדשתו, “And you shall sanctify him (the Kohein) still applies today.