Pidyon HaBen
Pidyon HaBen—the Redemption of the Firstborn Son—is a Torah commandment performed 31 days after the birth of a qualifying firstborn boy. It is one of the relatively rare mitzvot that applies only under specific circumstances, yet it carries deep biblical significance.
Biblical Background
During the Exodus from Egypt, God spared the firstborn sons of Israel during the plague of the firstborn (Makkat Bechorot). In return, the firstborn sons of Israel were consecrated to divine service. Later, when the Levites were chosen to serve in the Tabernacle instead, a mechanism was created: the firstborn son must be "redeemed" from a Kohen (descendant of Aaron the High Priest) through a symbolic payment.
The source is in Numbers 18:15–16: "The firstborn of man you shall surely redeem… his redemption price, from a month old you shall redeem, shall be five silver shekels."
The Ceremony
The ceremony is typically held at a festive daytime meal on the 31st day of the baby's life (or the next weekday if the 31st falls on Shabbat or a holiday). A Kohen is invited to officiate.
The father presents the baby to the Kohen, who asks whether the father prefers his son or the five silver coins. The father declares his desire to redeem his son, hands the Kohen five silver coins, and recites two blessings. The Kohen holds the coins over the baby's head, declares the child redeemed, recites a blessing over wine, and returns the coins—or keeps them, at his discretion.
A festive meal (seudat mitzvah) accompanies the ceremony. The atmosphere is joyous and communal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Pidyon HaBen?
- Pidyon HaBen means 'Redemption of the Son' in Hebrew. It is a Torah commandment to redeem the firstborn son from a Kohen (priest) on the 31st day of life.
- Who qualifies for Pidyon HaBen?
- The ceremony applies to a baby boy who is the firstborn to his mother (peter rechem), delivered vaginally, and whose father is neither a Kohen nor a Levi, and whose mother is neither the daughter of a Kohen nor a Levi.
- Why the 31st day?
- The Torah specifies that the redemption occurs 'when he is a month old'—which the rabbis interpret as after 30 full days, making the 31st day the first eligible day.
- What is the payment?
- Five silver shekalim—traditionally represented by five silver dollars or equivalent silver coins—are given to the Kohen, who may choose to return them as a gift.
- Can Pidyon HaBen be performed on Shabbat or Yom Tov?
- No. Unlike Brit Milah, Pidyon HaBen does not override Shabbat or Jewish holidays and is postponed to the next available day.