SHEYIBANEH BEIT HAMIKDASH...
A series of articles on Beit HaMikdash-related topics by Catriel Sugarman intended to increase the knowledge, interest, and anticipation of the reader, thereby hastening the realization of our hopes and prayers for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash.

Meir Hakohein at the Genealogical Research Department!
Last week, we left Meir Hakohein gathering data for his report for the Segan on how the Beit Din Shel Kohanim (BDK) Genealogical Research Department (GRD) implemented the recommendations submitted by the Mikdash Joint Computerization Committee. From the outside, the building that housed the GRD looked grim, even non-descript,but the inside had been completely gutted and remodeled into a state of the art genealogical center. Sitting in front of a computer in an office placed at his disposal, Meir Hakohein was pounding away at his keyboard uploading notes that he would use as a basis for his report. As he worked, Meir looked over his shoulderand shivered. Some of the signs on the wall were downright intimidating.

Treat original records at all times with great respect and work with only a few records at a time, recognizing that they are irreplaceable and that each user must help preserve them for future use. This applies particularly to the information and certifications submitted by various Batei Din.

Treat books with care, never forcing their spines. Remember: "Since books are the aptest teachers, it is fitting to bestow on them the honor and the affection that we owe to our teachers."

Handle photographs properly. Never mark, mutilate or remove from the repository any original, printed, micro- form, or electronic document or artifact.

Use only procedures prescribed by the repository for noting corrections to any errors or omissions found in published works. Learn the capabilities and limits of their equipment and software, and use them only when they are the most appropriate tools for a purpose. Do not accept uncritically the ability of software to format,number, import, modify, check, chart or report their data.

Accept digital images or enhancements of an original record as a satisfactory substitute for the original only when there is reasonable assurance that the image accurately reproduces the unaltered original.

Cite sources for data obtained on-line or from digital media with the same care that is appropriate for sources on paper and other traditional media, and enter data into a digital database only when its source can remain associated with it. Remember; "Whoever repeats a thing in the name of the person who said it bring sredemption to the world" (Pirkei Avot 6:5).

As Meir was reading, the efficacious Department Director came over and introduced himself. He said, "Our resources are used primarily, though not exclusively, by Kohanim who need to prove that their maternal ancestry is unblemished. We explain to them that with our computers, the hundreds of thousands of rolls of micro-filmed genealogical records, and the electronic resources, the needed information is literally at their fingertips. We also have staffers to help the 'computer-challenged'. You know that a Kohein who wants to marry a Kohenet, a woman of priestly stock, must authenticate the flawlessness of her maternal decent four generations back. The maternal lineage of a woman of non- priestly stock must be checked for five generations back (Kiddushin 4:4). However, a woman whose father served in the Mikdash, or who was a member of the Sanhedrin or who had served in a public office, is accepted without any further search. We assume that his ancestry already has been thoroughly researched (Kiddushin 4:4,5).

Usually we have no difficulties because most of the applicant's fathers have served in the Mikdash. Our job is even made easier because Kohanim usually marry women from other priestly families. A Kohein cannot marry a divorcee, a convert, or a freed woman and we keep records of all Kohanim who do. Illicit unions disqualify the children. Sometimes there is missing data that can only be provided by an authorized Beit Din abroad. Then we approach them. The spirit of cooperation among the Batei Din is proverbial!" Meir chuckled.

The Director continued, "Even though Kohanim do not begin to serve in the Mikdash until the age of 20, usually when they reach the age of 18, they register with us and apply for a "Mikdash Service Permit" (MSP). Once we certify that the candidate's family tree is flawless, we prepare an abstract accompanied by any necessary supporting documents and submit it to the BDK. They evaluate it, interview the candidate, and add their impressions and recommendations. Needless to say, the candidate is thoroughly examined by Mikdash doctors to ensure that there are no disqualifying physical defects. The results are uploaded into the candidate's file and the completed file is presented to the Sanhedrin's Pirchei Kehuna Committee who examines it carefully and (hopefully) accepts it. Kohanim are seldom disqualified for physical or psychological reasons.

Young Kohanim with obvious problems simply do not apply. When the applicant is 19, he must participate in the grueling "Introduction to the Avoda 101 Course" and his performance is carefully graded. Twice a year, all the successful candidates of the Mishmeret are invited to Lishkat Hagazit to receive their MSPs. "If in any priest a blemish was found, he clothed himself in black and veiled himself in black and departed and went his way. ("Theoretically maybe." the Director growled, "We weed out the ineligibles long before that stage!") He, in whom no blemish was found, clothed himself in white and veiled himself in white, and went in (into the Azara) and ministered with his brethren the priests. They kept it as a festival day, for no blemish was found in the seed of Aaron the Priest… They used to say, 'Blessed be G-d, blessed be He, for no blemish has been found in the seed of Aaron and his sons to stand and serve before the Lord in the House of the Holy of Holies" (Midot 5:4)." Meir Hakohein smiled.

Josephus describes how the records of priestly descent were kept:
"Our forefathers…made provision that the stock of the priests should continue unmixed and pure; for he who is partaker of the priesthood must propagate of a wife of the same nation, without having any regard for money, or any other dignities; but he is to make a scrutiny, and take his wife's genealogy from the ancient tables,and procure many witnesses to it.

And this is our practice not only in Judea, but wheresoever any body of our men do live; and even there, an exact catalogue of our priest's marriages is kept; I mean at Egypt and at Babylon, or in any other place of the rest of the habitable earth, wherever our priests are scattered; for they send to Jerusalem the ancient names of their parents in writing, as well as those of their remoter ancestors, and they also signify who their witnesses are. But if any war falls out… those priests that survive… compose new tables of genealogy of the old records, and examine the circumstances of the women that remain…If any of these have been transgressors of these rules, they are prohibited to present themselves at the altar…" (Against Apion, Bk. 1:7).

Catriel's book in progress: The Temple of Jerusalem, A Pilgrim’s Perspective; A Guided Tour through the Temple and the Divine Service