Jewish Tribes

[Ric.ror]

Do Jews today know which tribes they belong to

[naomi24]

I think they usually do - but perhaps Lonnie will come along and explain more.

[Octavius]

Nicked from another well known QA site:

�.....Priest (kohanim) and Levites know that they are from the tribe of Levi. Other than that, it really doesn't matter.

All Jews alive today are more or less regarded as having descended from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. (In Romans 11:1, Paul reports that he was a member of the tribe of Benjamin.) Other than Levites and kohanim, tribal affiliation has no significance in Judaism today.

Converts are regarded formally as being children of Abraham and Sarah. One's Hebrew name is "X son of Y" or "W daughter of Z." (Icelandic names are structured the same way, I understand.) For these purposes, a convert's father is Abraham, and his/her mother is Sarah, who are regarded as parents of all members of the Jewish nation....�

[Clanad]

To further illuminate, ever so slightly, Octavius' splendid response... although many, many genealogical records were lost whenthe Romans under Titus destroyed the Temple in A.D. 70, many Jews continued and continue today to maintain exacting historically accurate records. The 'kohanim' referenced in Octavius' post actually points directly to a family name today... the Cohens.
As an aside, a small but dedicated group are working today, within Israel, to re-establish the Temple on Temple Mount. They have re-created all of the utensils and clothing necessary to establish the Priesthood. They have even sent emmissaries to some cattle companies, near my home here in the western U.S. searching for the perfect "Red Heifer" which will be absolutely required when the Temple is restored. At any rate, several Cohen's have had their ancestry verified and have been trained or are being trained as Chief Priest and Priests as well as the other Levites that will be required. this is preparation for the coming of the Jewish Meshiach or Messiah...

[Lonnie]

Thanks for the vote naomi,

Even though I could, and would have answered, had I seen the question first, both Clanad and Octavius have just about got it covered.

[naomi24]

You're welcome Lonnie. I couldn't think of anyone else more qualified to answer.

[Ric.ror]

Now I want to know what other well known Q&A site there are

[Lonnie]

This is a good one ric.

http://answers.yahoo.com/