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In genetics it is understood that every male inherits 23 chromosomes from either parent, but the Y chromosome always from the father and the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) always from the mother.
As membership of the Jewish priesthood caste is patrilineal, it can be hypothetised that all people claiming to be a kohen should share the same Y chromosome.
This hypothesis was first tested by Prof. Karl Skorecki and collaborators from Haifa, Israel. In their study (1997) it was discovered that many Kohanim share certain Y-chromosome markers, which argues in favor of the hypothesis. Other studies (Thomas MG et al, 1998) have corroborated the findings. This led to the development of the Cohen Modal Haplotype, a set of Y-chromosomal markers that might have been shared by the Biblical Aaron.
Understandably, the finding led to a lot of excitement in religious circles, providing some "proof" of the historical veracity of the Bible [1] [2], leading to criticism [3].
One might argue that from the premise of the study, all Jews should share the same Y chromosome. After all, Aaron and Moses descended patrilineally from JacobAngel Gustave Dore, 1855 Jacob or Ya'akov "Holder of the heel", Standard Hebrew Yaaqov Tiberian Hebrew Yaaqo Arabic Yaqub , later known as Israel "Prince with God", Standard Hebrew Yisrael Tiberian Hebrew Yisrel Arabic Isril is a biblical patriarch. His s, the ancestor of all Jews. However conversionReligious conversion is the adoption of new religious beliefs that differ from the convert's previous beliefs; in some cultures (e. Judaism) conversion also signifies joining an ethnic group as well as adopting that group's religious beliefs. Conversion r as a source of distinct genetic material and the special status of the Cohen family (Kohanim) among the Jews mitigate against the expectation that all Jews should share the same Y chromosome. Converts can never be part of the Kohanim, a status which is passed from father to son only, whereas status as a Jew is based upon the mother only. So all members of the Kohanim are Kohanim based upon the father and Jews based upon the mother.
The Cohen Modal Haplotype has been also been found in groups of non-Jews, notably the Lemba of Southern Africa (Thomas MG et al 2000) and groups of Kurds.