# A new Jewish High Priest?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-jewish-high-priest/109217>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 15, 2002, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-jewish-high-priest/109217 "2002-05-15T17:33:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-jewish-high-priest/109217/21 "2002-05-19T06:24:52Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt \*  
> \*\*I don’t know if the Hasmonean kings/priests contributed to the founding of the Saudecces, but some of the later Hasmonean Kings (such as Alexander Jannai) were Sauducee supporters themselves.  
> \*\*

The people I were thinking of was Johnathan Apphus, Simon Thalassi, and John Hyrcanus, who ruled from 160-142 BCE, 142-134 BCE, and 134-104 BCE. They were all both kings and High Priests, and got criticized for it. It was Hyrcanus who was the first big Saducee supporter. He engaged in massacres of Pharasees, even though nothing near what Jannai did.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-jewish-high-priest/109217/22 "2002-05-19T06:27:12Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by zev\_steinhardt \*  
> \*\*
> 
> Yes, the Maccabes were _kohanim_. And Jewish literature roundly criticizes them for taking the throne and not being content with the _kehunah_ (priesthood). \*\*

Just to clarify, I’m not saying the Maccabes were acting theologically properly. But, saying that the KG was ineligible to be king is technically incorrect, because there were KGs who were kings. Back then, just like now, force legitimized a lot of otherwise illegitimate situations.

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**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-jewish-high-priest/109217/23 "2002-05-19T07:16:33Z")

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1\> Okay, so if the temple were re-built tomorrow, who could/ would be High Priest?

2\> Ignorant that I am, I would say former defense secretary William Cohen would be eligible, since he is a _kohan_, right?

3\> The Dome of the Rock is currently on the spot of the Temple, right?  
stv

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2002, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-jewish-high-priest/109217/24 "2002-05-19T13:26:53Z")

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1. Any physically healthy Kohan over the age of 13 could become High Priest. It’s your guess as well as mine who would.

2. No, because William Cohen isn’t Jewish. His father was Jewish, his mother was Catholic. Assuming that his father was a Kohan, he entered into an unallowable marriage, which means he didn’t pass that status down to his son.

3. Yes, it is.

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