I'm inclined to go with the theory that the rebbes who claimed such yichus wouldn't have done so without substantial reasons for thinking it was so (even though they probably had no written documentation). In such cases, I think "family tradition" is pretty reliable (although that is just MHO).
When you think about how many generations since King David, and how many children were born in each generation, there must be many, many living descendants. And that is equally true for the other patriarchs and prophets. The world of Judaism is populated with the descendants of these illustrious ancestors!
The Degel doesn't address it in his sefer, hoever Davidic Dynasty seems to have him listed as a descendant and for some reason posted the picture I took of his keverhere
Many Rabbeim claim Davidic decent - by tracing their lineage to the Maharal (who it was accepted came from Dovid hamelech - I think it written so on his matzeiva). However, I understand that their is no documentaion listing the who's or how's as proof for the Maharal. In Lubavitch, the later 5 Rebbe's trace their lineage to the Metzudos Dovid (also accepted to have been from Dovid hamelech - but I'm not sure how, or even when or where he lived).
He disputes earlier claims that the Maharal of Prague was descended from King David through the line of Yehudah Leib the Elder, but he finds support for a different line of descent through Rashi and the House of Hillel.
I found this chart (among others) helpful: http://www.davidicdynasty.org/daviddecent.php
Also, I was moved to read this article on Torah and genealogy:
http://www.davidicdynasty.org/Torah.php
which supports my feeling that my genealogical research is not just for myself, or for my children, but for connecting spiritually with my ancestors and perpetuating their memory---and hopefully living up to that heritage.
6 Comments:
Did the Degel claim descent from King David?
I'm inclined to go with the theory that the rebbes who claimed such yichus wouldn't have done so without substantial reasons for thinking it was so (even though they probably had no written documentation). In such cases, I think "family tradition" is pretty reliable (although that is just MHO).
When you think about how many generations since King David, and how many children were born in each generation, there must be many, many living descendants. And that is equally true for the other patriarchs and prophets. The world of Judaism is populated with the descendants of these illustrious ancestors!
The Degel doesn't address it in his sefer, hoever Davidic Dynasty seems to have him listed as a descendant and for some reason posted the picture I took of his keverhere
Many Rabbeim claim Davidic decent - by tracing their lineage to the Maharal (who it was accepted came from Dovid hamelech - I think it written so on his matzeiva). However, I understand that their is no documentaion listing the who's or how's as proof for the Maharal.
In Lubavitch, the later 5 Rebbe's trace their lineage to the Metzudos Dovid (also accepted to have been from Dovid hamelech - but I'm not sure how, or even when or where he lived).
ASJ, thanks for the link to this interesting site! I've spent a very pleasant afternoon browsing its contents.
Chabakuk Elisha: One of the articles on the Davidic Dynasty site is the following, by Rabbi Chaim Freedman:
http://www.davidicdynasty.org/pdf/Saving_the_Maharal.pdf
He disputes earlier claims that the Maharal of Prague was descended from King David through the line of Yehudah Leib the Elder, but he finds support for a different line of descent through Rashi and the House of Hillel.
I found this chart (among others) helpful:
http://www.davidicdynasty.org/daviddecent.php
Also, I was moved to read this article on Torah and genealogy:
http://www.davidicdynasty.org/Torah.php
which supports my feeling that my genealogical research is not just for myself, or for my children, but for connecting spiritually with my ancestors and perpetuating their memory---and hopefully living up to that heritage.
Berel Wein says that 8/10 Ashkenazim come from Rashi . . .
Avakesh: Thanks. Would you be able to provide the quote from the Kaplan book?
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