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Pidyon HaBen (Hebrew: פדיון הבן) is the redemption of the first-born, a ritual in Judaism. It is still observed today, particularly by Orthodox Jews.
Principles
When a Jewish woman gives birth by natural means through her vagina (and not by Caesarean section) to her firstborn sonShulkhan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 305:1, then the father Shulkhan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 305:2 of the child must "redeem" the child from a known KohenShulkhan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 305:3 representing the original Jewish Temple priesthood, for the sum of five silver ShekelsShulkhan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 305:1, or five silver pieces of the country's currency, such as silver dollars in the U.S. The procedure does not apply to the child of whom the father is a Kohen or Levi, or when the mother is the daughter of one.Shulkhan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 305:18
This "redemption" ceremony is performed on the 31st day after the birth of the child (the day of birth is considered the first day) and is accompanied by an customary festive meal known as a se'udath mitzvah ("meal of a mitzvah")Shulkhan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 305:11. It is performed on the 31st day because it is believed that if a child survives a month, his chances for good health were assured. If the 31st day after birth falls on Shabbat, a festival or a fast day, the redemption is not performed and must be performed immediately after the holiday ends. This is because handling money on Jewish holidays is forbidden.
If a woman gives birth to a second son naturally when the first son was born by Caesarean section, that child is not redeemed eitherShulkhan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 305:24. Additionally, a first-born male child does not require redemption if his birth was preceded by an earlier miscarriage by the mother that occurred after the third month of pregnancy. However, if the miscarriage occurred during the first 40 days of pregnancy, redemption is required. If the previous miscarriage occurred after forty days, but before the fetus developed distinguishing charactertistics, redemption of the first-born is still required, but the blessing said by the father is omitted.
The restriction to initial vaginal birth stems from the Bibilical text regarding the redemption, which says a child that is "Peter Rechem Imo," or the "opening of his mother's womb", needs to be redeemed.
Levites, including Kohanim, do not participate in the Pidyon HaBen ceremony. The reason is that the Levites, as substitutes for the first-born, are pledged to minister and assist the kohanim in Divine service, and cannot be redeemed from their service obligation.
Background
The laws concerning redemption of the first-born of man are recorded in Exodus 13:12-15; 22:29; 34:20; Numbers 3:45; 8:17; 18:16; Leviticus 12:2,4.
In the early part of the Bible, as recorded in the Book of Genesis, the duties of a priest fell upon the eldest son of each family. The first-born was to be dedicated to God in order to perform this task.
Following the Israelite Exodus from Egypt, an extensive plan of formal sacrificial worship was instituted. The priesthood was taken away from the first-borns, and given to the tribe of Levites, specifically to the Kohenim, Levites who has descended from High Priest Aaron, after the nation had sinned with the Golden Calf. At the same time it was instituted that the first born of each family should be redeemed; i.e. they would be 'bought back' from the dedication to God that would previously have been required of them. Levites were substituted for the first-born and wholly given to Divine service:
- And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons; they are wholly given unto him from the children of Israel.
- And I behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of every first-born that openeth the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be Mine. For all the first-born are Mine: on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto Me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast, Mine they shall be: I am the LORD.' (Numbers 3:9, 12-13)
The first-born male of every clean animal was to be given up to the priest for sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:6; Exodus 13:12, 34:20; Numbers 18:15-17). The first-born of unclean animals, however, was either to be redeemed or sold and the price given to the priest (Leviticus 27:11-13, 27). The first-born of an ass, if not redeemed, was to be put to death (Exodus 13:13; 34:20).
See also
- Brit milah (circumcision)
Reference
External link
Pidyon HaBen | Rachat du Premier né | פדיון הבן | Pidyon haben
"Pidyon HaBen"