Cohen status
Question
My great grandpa was a cohen but he changed his last name during ww2. On his grave is written cohen. But would that still qualify me halachically? My grandfather never did a birkat kohanim neither did my great grandfather. Reason I am asking because I fell in love with a goya. I ended the relationship because after discovering I was a cohen, it made things more complicated. What’s your take on the situation?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
Intermarriage is forbidden whether one is a Kohen or just a "regular" Jew.
As such, you did the right thing! You may only marry a Jewish girl.
According to what you wrote, you may regard yourself as a Kohen le’chumra, meaning that you should not transgress any of the prohibitions that pertain to kohanim, such as not entering a Beis Hakeverot, etc. However, with regard to performing the mitzvot of a Kohen, based on the proof you presented, you would not be eligible to do so.
Wishing you well.
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