Why does this matter at all? I am confused. What makes one Jew better than another? I understand that if someone worked on themselves and became something, then they can be considered “higher” or “better”, for lack of better terms. But when meeting “ordinary” (because no one is) people on the streets, what makes them greater because they stem from one of the Rishonim or Achronim? Somehow, we can all trace ourselves back to every one. Even a ger, unless he and all his descendants married geirim, can make a path as once they marry, they become “in laws”. The frum community is so intermarried that we can be cousins to someone easily 2 or 3 times!
But why, can someone explain to me, is someone a better prospect for shidduchim, getting into a school ect if they have “yichus”, no matter how far removed!???!!? We are all Am Yisroel! It seems that many people echo my thoughts that we are Am Yisroel and come from Avraham Avinu, but when it comes down to it people are so much more willing to go out with someone who has “yichus”!