Pidyon haben facts for kids

The Pidyon HaBen is a special Jewish ceremony. It happens when a Jewish family has their first-born son. This event takes place when the baby boy is about one Jewish month old. The ceremony is a way for parents to "redeem" their child. It shows they want their child to be part of the Jewish community. During this ceremony, a small amount of money is given to a rabbi.

What is Pidyon HaBen?

The words "Pidyon HaBen" mean "redemption of the son." This tradition comes from ancient Jewish laws. In the past, the first-born son was meant to serve God in a special way. However, later on, this role changed. The ceremony now reminds families of this history. It also shows their commitment to raising their child in Jewish traditions.

Why is it Done?

The idea behind Pidyon HaBen comes from the Torah. The Torah is the Jewish holy book. It talks about how God saved the Jewish people from slavery in Ancient Egypt. During this time, God commanded that all first-born sons be set aside for special service. Later, the Kohanim (priests) took on this role. The Pidyon HaBen ceremony is a way to "redeem" the first-born son from this original duty. It means the parents are symbolically buying back their son. This allows him to live a regular life, not dedicated only to temple service.

The Ceremony Details

The Pidyon HaBen ceremony is usually a happy family gathering. It often takes place in the home. The baby boy must be at least 30 days old. This is because the first 30 days are a time of uncertainty for a newborn. After 30 days, the baby is considered strong and healthy.

During the ceremony, the father presents his baby to a Kohen. A Kohen is a descendant of the ancient Jewish priests. The Kohen asks the father if he wants to "redeem" his son. The father says yes. He then gives the Kohen five silver coins. These coins are a symbolic payment. They represent the "redemption" of the child. The Kohen then blesses the child. He also blesses the parents. This is a moment of great joy and meaning for the family.

Images for kids

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  Presentation of the First-born (1724), from Juedisches Ceremoniel

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  Pidjon Ha Ben coin from Israel, 1974. These coins are often offered in sets of 5 by the Bank of Israel.

See also

In Spanish: Rescate del recién nacido para niños