Pidyon Haben: Difference between revisions
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When a male child, who is not a Cohen or a Levi, is naturally born of his mother's first pregnancy to a father not descended of Cohanim or Levim he must be "redeemed" by his father with the value of five biblical shekels, to be payed to a Cohen.<ref>Rambam (Bikkurim 11:1), Shulchan Aruch YD 305:1, Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 221 </ref> | When a male child, who is not a Cohen or a Levi, is naturally born of his mother's first pregnancy to a father not descended of Cohanim or Levim he must be "redeemed" by his father with the value of five biblical shekels, to be payed to a Cohen.<ref>Rambam (Bikkurim 11:1), Shulchan Aruch YD 305:1, Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 221 </ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
# This Mitzvah is based on the pasuk בְּכוֹר בָּנֶיךָ תִּתֶּן לִּי "the firstborn of your sons you shall give Me" <ref>Shemot 22:28 </ref>and וְכֹל בְּכוֹר אָדָם בְּבָנֶיךָ תִּפְדֶּה "and every firstborn of man among your sons, you shall redeem" <ref>Shemot 13:13, Mishna Kidushin 29a </ref>. It is considered a | # This Mitzvah is based on the pasuk בְּכוֹר בָּנֶיךָ תִּתֶּן לִּי "the firstborn of your sons you shall give Me" <ref>Shemot 22:28 </ref>and וְכֹל בְּכוֹר אָדָם בְּבָנֶיךָ תִּפְדֶּה "and every firstborn of man among your sons, you shall redeem" <ref>Shemot 13:13, Mishna Kidushin 29a </ref>. It is considered a biblical positive commandment. <ref>Rambam Sefer HaMitzvot (Aseh #80), Sefer Hachinuch Mitzva 18, Shulchan Aruch Y"D 305:1, Smag Aseh 143-144, Smak 243, Yereim 140 </ref> | ||
# The idea behind the mitzvah is to redeem the firstborn of his innate kedusha as the pasuk says "קַדֶּשׁ־לִי כָל־בְּכוֹר פֶּטֶר כָּל־רֶחֶם בִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּאָדָם וּבַבְּהֵמָה לִי הוּא".<ref>Shemot 13:2</ref> The kedusha is a result of Hashem killing the Egyptian firstborns and saving the Jewish firstborns.<ref>Rashi Shemot 13:2 explains that Hashem "acquired" the firstborns when he killed the Egyptian firstborns and saved the Jewish ones. See also Shemot 13:15. The Zohar (Intro 14a, cited in Pidyon Haben Kehilchato p. 4) says that redeeming a firstborn is a merit that it should live.</ref> Nonetheless, even before the pidyon haben the baby isn't forbidden from benefit.<ref>Gemara Bechorot 3b, Pidyon Haben Kehilchato 1:3. See, however, Seforno Shemot 13:15.</ref> Another explanation is that we have a mitzvah with our first offspring to recognize that everything is from Hashem.<ref>Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 18)</ref> | # The idea behind the mitzvah is to redeem the firstborn of his innate kedusha as the pasuk says "קַדֶּשׁ־לִי כָל־בְּכוֹר פֶּטֶר כָּל־רֶחֶם בִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּאָדָם וּבַבְּהֵמָה לִי הוּא".<ref>Shemot 13:2</ref> The kedusha is a result of Hashem killing the Egyptian firstborns and saving the Jewish firstborns.<ref>Rashi Shemot 13:2 explains that Hashem "acquired" the firstborns when he killed the Egyptian firstborns and saved the Jewish ones. See also Shemot 13:15. The Zohar (Intro 14a, cited in Pidyon Haben Kehilchato p. 4) says that redeeming a firstborn is a merit that it should live.</ref> Nonetheless, even before the pidyon haben the baby isn't forbidden from benefit.<ref>Gemara Bechorot 3b, Pidyon Haben Kehilchato 1:3. See, however, Seforno Shemot 13:15.</ref> Another explanation is that we have a mitzvah with our first offspring to recognize that everything is from Hashem.<ref>Sefer Hachinuch (Mitzvah 18)</ref> | ||
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# A baby born naturally assisted with a vacuum is obligated in pidyon haben.<ref>Pidyon Haben Kehilchata 2:23, Otzar Pidyon Haben 1:note 46, Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot vol. 2, pg. 255), Otzar Pidyon Haben 1:46</ref> | # A baby born naturally assisted with a vacuum is obligated in pidyon haben.<ref>Pidyon Haben Kehilchata 2:23, Otzar Pidyon Haben 1:note 46, Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot vol. 2, pg. 255), Otzar Pidyon Haben 1:46</ref> | ||
=== | ===Artificial Insemination=== | ||
# | # A child born through in vitro fertilization or any other means of artificial insemination, if the sperm donor is the father (the mothers husband), the father is obligated in pidyon haben.<ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot vol. 2, p. 255), Shevet Halevi 3:176</ref> If the donor was anonymous, the child must redeem himself when he becomes of age.<ref>Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 255 </ref> | ||
==Whose Obligation is it?== | ==Whose Obligation is it?== | ||
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# Before the pidyon, the father should have kavana that he is fulfilling a positive commandment from the Torah of redeeming his eldest son.<ref> Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 316 </ref> see [[Having Kavana for Mitzvot]] | # Before the pidyon, the father should have kavana that he is fulfilling a positive commandment from the Torah of redeeming his eldest son.<ref> Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 316 </ref> see [[Having Kavana for Mitzvot]] | ||
# The practice is to give the baby to the kohen to hold<ref> Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 317, Shu"t Mahari Vail 189, Yam Shel Shlomo Kiddushin 1:54. This isn't necessary however. </ref> and the kohen asks the father if he's a kohen or levi and the father answers no. Then the kohen asks if it is a firstborn and the father answers yes. Then the kohen asks whether he would rather your firstborn or five sela'im that you're obligated to use to redeem your firstborn and the father answers I want my firstborn son.<ref>Rama 305:10, Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 317<br /> | # The practice is to give the baby to the kohen to hold<ref> Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 317, Shu"t Mahari Vail 189, Yam Shel Shlomo Kiddushin 1:54. This isn't necessary however. </ref> and the kohen asks the father if he's a kohen or levi and the father answers no. Then the kohen asks if it is a firstborn and the father answers yes. Then the kohen asks whether he would rather your firstborn or five sela'im that you're obligated to use to redeem your firstborn and the father answers I want my firstborn son.<ref>Rama 305:10, Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 317<br /> | ||
The poskim write that we aren't really giving the father a choice if he wants the coins or his son. Halachically, there is no choice or option. The father has a mitzvah to fulfill, which he is required to observe. If, theoretically, the father would refuse to redeem his child, the Kohen would have no claim to the child. Chut Shani 92 explains that we only use this terminology to get the father excited about his opportunity to fulfill the mitzva of pidyon haben. see also Aruch Hashulchan 305:36</ref> This should be done in a language that the parties involved understand.<Ref> Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 317</ref>The kohen also asks the mother if she's the daughter or a kohen or levi and she says no. Then the kohen asks if the baby is a firstborn and she responds yes. <ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 318), Perisha 305:21</ref> | The poskim write that we aren't really giving the father a choice if he wants the coins or his son. Halachically, there is no choice or option. The father has a mitzvah to fulfill, which he is required to observe. If, theoretically, the father would refuse to redeem his child, the Kohen would have no claim to the child. <br /> | ||
# The father recites the bracha of "asher kideshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al pidyon haben" and shehecheyanu and then gives the coins to the kohen.<ref>Taz 305:9, Shach 305:9, Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 319), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour]</ref> The father should not hand the money over before finishing the beracha<ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 319), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour] </ref> | * Chut Shani 92 explains that we only use this terminology to get the father excited about his opportunity to fulfill the mitzva of pidyon haben. | ||
* Shu”t Minchat Shlomo 1:62 suggests that we want people to be aware that the money is for the pidyon haben, and not just an unrelated gift that we are giving to the kohen. This is important because if the father gives the money without the proper understanding of the transaction, it could be that the pidyon haben doesn't count. | |||
* see also Aruch Hashulchan 305:36</ref> This should be done in a language that the parties involved understand.<Ref> Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 317</ref>The kohen also asks the mother if she's the daughter or a kohen or levi and she says no. Then the kohen asks if the baby is a firstborn and she responds yes. <ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 318), Perisha 305:21</ref> | |||
# The father recites the bracha of "asher kideshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al pidyon haben" and shehecheyanu and then gives the coins to the kohen.<ref>Gemara Pesachim 121b, Rambam Bikkurim 11:5, Taz 305:9, Shach 305:9, Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 319), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour]</ref> The father should not hand the money over before finishing the beracha<ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 319), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour] </ref> | |||
# As he gives the coins, the father says this is for the redemption of my son and the kohen responds that I received these coins on behalf of the redemption. Then the kohen places the coins over the son's head and says that these are for your son.<ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 326), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour]</ref> | # As he gives the coins, the father says this is for the redemption of my son and the kohen responds that I received these coins on behalf of the redemption. Then the kohen places the coins over the son's head and says that these are for your son.<ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 326), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour]</ref> | ||
# The kohen proceeds to bless the baby with the pesukim of birkat kohanim and a yehey ratzon. <ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 327), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour]</ref> | # The kohen proceeds to bless the baby with the pesukim of birkat kohanim and a yehey ratzon. <ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 327), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour]</ref> | ||
# Then the kohen makes a hagefen on the wine and drinks a little<ref>Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 329 says that you only need to have a little bit of wine, as the Taz 265:10 writes regarding drinking wine at the bris, that since the only reason for having wine is because we don't sing praise without wine, there is no minimum amount to drink</ref>. | # Then the kohen makes a hagefen on the wine and drinks a little<ref>Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 329 says that you only need to have a little bit of wine, as the Taz 265:10 writes regarding drinking wine at the bris, that since the only reason for having wine is because we don't sing praise without wine, there is no minimum amount to drink</ref>. Sephardim have the custom to make a bracha on besamim,<Ref> Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot vol. 2, pg. 327), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour]. This custom is mentioned by the Rosh Bechorot Hilchot Pidyon Bechor Siman 1 and Shu”t HaRashba 1:200</ref> while Ashkenazim do not.<ref>[https://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/1943 Rav Eliezer Melamed] </ref> | ||
#Some then have the custom to recite another bracha of asher kidesh ubar bim'ei imo without shem u'malchut.<Ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 327), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour]<br /> | #Some then have the custom to recite another bracha of asher kidesh ubar bim'ei imo without shem u'malchut.<Ref>Yalkut Yosef (Sova Semachot v. 2, p. 327), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=1/19/2012 Rabbi Eli Mansour]<br /> | ||
This beracha is mentioned by the Tur 305 in the name of the Geonim. The Bach there, writes that the reason for this is similar to the beracha after a brit mila, asher kidesh yedid mibeten. However, the Rosh (Bechorot 8:1 and Kiddushin 1:41) says that the minhag is not to recite this beracha<br /> | This beracha is mentioned by the Tur 305 in the name of the Geonim. The Bach there, writes that the reason for this is similar to the beracha after a brit mila, asher kidesh yedid mibeten. However, the Rosh (Bechorot 8:1 and Kiddushin 1:41) says that the minhag is not to recite this beracha<br /> | ||
Shulchan Gavoha 305:21 concludes that the minhag is to recite it without a beracha. Nahar Mitzrayim 26 agrees.</ref> | Shulchan Gavoha 305:21 concludes that the minhag is to recite it without a beracha. Nahar Mitzrayim 26 agrees.</ref> | ||
===Giving the Money=== | ===Giving the Money=== | ||
# According to Sephardim, the primary halacha is that one give the equivalent of 90 grams of pure silver, but it's preferable to give the equivalent of 93 grams. <ref>[http://www.dailyhalacha.com/m/halacha.aspx?id=2259 Rabbi Eli Mansour], Yalkut Yosef YD 305:42 based on Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:54. (Rav Mordechai Eliyahu in his comment to Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 164:1 writes that the amount is about 100 grams of silver. However, this may be based on an older calculation of the Darham. See [[Shiurim]].) </ref>According to Ashkenazim, one should give the equivalent of 96 grams of pure silver and the minhag is to give 100 grams.<ref>Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Shiurin Deoritta (pg 35 #17), [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/768798/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Parsha_Shiur_-_Bo_5772 Rav Hershel Schachter] in Shuir on Parshat Bo (towards end of shiur) </ref> | # According to Sephardim, the primary halacha is that one give the equivalent of 90 grams of pure silver, but it's preferable to give the equivalent of 93 grams. <ref>[http://www.dailyhalacha.com/m/halacha.aspx?id=2259 Rabbi Eli Mansour], Yalkut Yosef YD 305:42 based on Sh"t Yechave Daat 4:54. (Rav Mordechai Eliyahu in his comment to Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 164:1 writes that the amount is about 100 grams of silver. However, this may be based on an older calculation of the Darham. See [[Shiurim]].) </ref>According to Ashkenazim, one should give the equivalent of 96 grams of pure silver and the minhag is to give 100 grams.<ref>Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Shiurin Deoritta (pg 35 #17), [http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=20888&pgnum=363 Rav Chaim Noeh in Shiurei Torah (3:45)], [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/768798/Rabbi_Hershel_Schachter/Parsha_Shiur_-_Bo_5772 Rav Hershel Schachter] in Shuir on Parshat Bo (towards end of shiur) </ref> | ||
# One does not necessarily need to give silver coins; he could give that value in merchandise as well, but not with land or documents.<ref>SHulchan Aruch YD 305:3, Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 279</ref> According to many poskim, our paper money or coins should not be used since they lack inherent value.<ref> Shu"t Chatam Sofer YD 134, Aruch Hashulchan 305:18, Shu"t Oneg Yom Tov YD 102, Minchat Shlomo 71:23</ref> Others are lenient.<ref> Shu"t Ein Yitzchak YD 30 </ref> Therefore, it is best to use silver coins.<ref> Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 282, [https://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/1943 Rav Eliezer Melamed] </ref> | # One does not necessarily need to give silver coins; he could give that value in merchandise as well, but not with land or documents.<ref>SHulchan Aruch YD 305:3, Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 279</ref> According to many poskim, our paper money or coins should not be used since they lack inherent value.<ref> Shu"t Chatam Sofer YD 134, Aruch Hashulchan 305:18, Shu"t Oneg Yom Tov YD 102, Minchat Shlomo 71:23</ref> Others are lenient.<ref> Shu"t Ein Yitzchak YD 30 </ref> Therefore, it is best to use silver coins.<ref> Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 282, [https://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/1943 Rav Eliezer Melamed] </ref> | ||
# One cannot write a check for the requisite amount to fulfill pidyon haben.<ref> Pidyon Haben Kehilchato 7:13, Otzar Pidyon Haben 14:6, [https://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/1943 Rav Eliezer Melamed] </ref> | # One cannot write a check for the requisite amount to fulfill pidyon haben.<ref> Pidyon Haben Kehilchato 7:13, Otzar Pidyon Haben 14:6, [https://www.yeshiva.org.il/midrash/1943 Rav Eliezer Melamed] </ref> | ||
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===Meal of Pidyon Haben=== | ===Meal of Pidyon Haben=== | ||
# The practice is to make a | # The practice is to make a meal on the occasion of a [[Pidyon HaBen]].<ref>Rama 305:10, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 164:1, Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 342</ref> This meal is considered a seudat mitzva,<Ref> Magen Avraham 568:9, Mishna Brura 568:16, Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 342, Rama 551:10. Terumat Hadeshen 268 writes that this meal is considered a Seudat Mitzva. He proves this from Baba Kamma 80a which tells a story of Rav, Shmuel and Rav Assi who went together to a meal, and Rashi there says it was for a pidyon haben, because the Gemara says that Rav would never eat outside of a seudat mitzva.</ref>and eating at a meal of a pidyon haben is like fasting for 84 days.<ref>Shu"t Rashban 136, Taamei Haminhagim pg. 399, Sdei Chemed 80:54, Kaf Hachaim 249:14. See [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=2262 Rabbi Mansour on dailyhalacha.com] or Sdei Chemed 60:54 about the importance of the meal of a pidyon haben.</ref> Even if it is done late, the meal is still considered a seudat mitzva.<ref> Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 342, Pri Megadim A"A 568:10 </ref> | ||
# | # It is not necessary to have bread at this meal.<ref>Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 342, [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/displayRead.asp?readID=2262 Rabbi Eli Mansour] </ref> | ||
# Some have the custom to do the meal before the pidyon, while others do the pidyon and then eat the meal.<ref> Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 345</ref> | |||
# The custom is not to recite Shehasimcha Bimono at a pidyon haben.<ref>Rama 305:10, Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 349. The Terumat Hadeshen 268 mentions that some have the custom to recite it while some don't</ref> | |||
===Choosing a Kohen=== | ===Choosing a Kohen=== | ||
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* Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 164:3 writes that the Ashkenazic minhag is not to perform it at night, unless the 31st day fell out on Shabbat or [[Yom Tov]] in which case the [[Pidyon HaBen]] is performed the night after the 31st and not pushed off until the morning. | * Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 164:3 writes that the Ashkenazic minhag is not to perform it at night, unless the 31st day fell out on Shabbat or [[Yom Tov]] in which case the [[Pidyon HaBen]] is performed the night after the 31st and not pushed off until the morning. | ||
* The Noda Biyehuda YD 187 says it should be done during the day, to ensure that 29 days, | * The Noda Biyehuda YD 187 says it should be done during the day, to ensure that 29 days, | ||
* Maharsham 568:5 says because the makkat bechorot was finished during the day.</ref> On the other hand, the Sephardic minhag is | * Maharsham 568:5 says because the makkat bechorot was finished during the day.</ref> On the other hand, the Sephardic minhag is to even perform it at night.<ref> Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 313 (YD 305:67), however, writes that Sephardic minhag is to perform a pidyon haben at night.</ref> | ||
===If the Baby is in the Hospital=== | ===If the Baby is in the Hospital=== | ||
# In the unfortunate event that the baby is in the hospital when the pidyon should take place, they should not delay the pidyon for that. Rather, they should perform the pidyon on-time without the baby being present.<ref>Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 239, Rama 305:10 </ref> | # In the unfortunate event that the baby is in the hospital when the pidyon should take place, they should not delay the pidyon for that. Rather, they should perform the pidyon on-time without the baby being present.<ref>Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 239, Rama 305:10 </ref> | ||
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===Sefirat Haomer=== | ===Sefirat Haomer=== | ||
# Some poskim allow music during sefirat haomer in celebration of a pidyon haben because it is for a mitzva<ref> Yalkut Yosef Sova Semachot vol. 2 pg. 333 </ref> | |||
===Three Weeks, Nine Days, and Tisha B'av=== | ===Three Weeks, Nine Days, and Tisha B'av=== | ||
[[Template:Listening to Music during the Three Weeks#pidyon haben| see Pidyon during the Three Weeks]] | [[Template:Listening to Music during the Three Weeks#pidyon haben| see Pidyon during the Three Weeks]] | ||
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<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Lifecycles]] | [[Category:Lifecycles]] | ||
[[Category:Kohanim]] | |||
