Are Priests Descendant from the Tribe of Levi?

Question:

I am in a debate regarding Kohens and Levites.

My friend says that Kohens are descended from Levites. I say that the three "levels" are Kohens, Levites and Israelites. Who is correct?

Answer:

You are both right. Kohanim (that's plural for Kohen) do indeed stem from the tribe of Levi. And yes, there are indeed three groups of Jews: Kohen (Priests), Levi (Levites) and Yisrael (Israelites).

Here's how it works: Jacob's third son's name was Levi. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kehot and Merari. Kehot's firstborn, Amram, had three children: Miriam, Aaron and Moses.

Aaron was designated as the Kohen Gadol, the high priest; male descendants of Aaron are Kohanim. The rest of the tribe, are the Levites.

Best wishes,

Chani Benjaminson
Chabad.org