13. Seder Pidyon Haben – The ceremony:[1]

Washing hands for the meal:[2] When a meal is eaten by the ceremony, then if there is wine available, then the redemption procedure is done after beginning the meal [i.e. after washing hands for bread and reciting Hamotzi[3] and sitting on the table and eating a Kezayis of bread]. If there is no wine available, and hence a blessing of Shehakol needs to be recited over other beverages after the ceremony, then the Pidyon Haben ceremony is to be performed prior to the meal. See the next Halacha for the full details of this subject!

Bringing the child for the Kohen: The father brings his firstborn son before the Kohen.[4] Some Poskim[5] write that the child is to be placed in front of the Kohen and it is not necessary to place him on the lap of the Kohen. However, other Poskim[6] write the child is to be placed in the hands of the Kohen.[7]

Bringing the money or its value:[8] The father brings the money, or its equivalence, of five Selaim with him.

The conversation that ensues between the father and Kohen:[9] The father is then to tell the Kohen that the child is a first-born child to his Yisraeli mother and says in this wording “My Israelite wife has given birth to a firstborn son for me.” The Kohen then asks the father, “Which would you rather own, your firstborn son or the five Selaim that you must give in order to redeem this firstborn?” The father then replies, “I would like to keep my firstborn son, and thus please take five Selaim as the redemption money that I am obligated to give you.” [The wording of this statement should not mislead one to believe that the father has the choice to give the child to the Kohen instead of the redemption money, and rather it is simply said in order to arouse the father to desire to do the Mitzvah.[10]]

Giving the money or its equivalent value to the Kohen:[11] The father is to then stretch out his hand with the money in it to give it to the Kohen[12] and recite the two blessings of “Al Pidyon Haben” and then say the blessing of Shehechiyanu, and then he is to give to the Kohen the five Selaim, or its equivalent value.

Blessing over wine:[13] Immediately after the recital of the blessings and giving the money to the hands of the Kohen, the Kohen [while still standing] recites the blessing of Borei Peri Hagafen over a cup of wine and is to then drink from the wine. See next Halacha for the full details of this matter.

Birchas Kohanim:[14] After the drinking of the wine, the Kohen is to place his hands on the head of the child and bless him with Birchas Kohanim, and other Pesukim, each person according to his Nussach.

The meal and festivities:[15] After the completion of the above ceremony, they are to sit down and eat and drink and rejoice. See Halacha 14  for the full details of the subject.

Child is not present:[16] The above procedure is accustomed to being done in the [Ashkenazi] provinces, when the child is together with the father. However, when the father is not in the presence of the child, then the redemption is to take place by the father and a Kohen not in the presence of the child, but with a change in the procedure. The father simply states to the Kohen that he has a firstborn child, and the Kohen then asks, “which would you rather….?,” just as we stated above.

[1] See Siddur Admur; Rama 305:10; Tur 305; Rosh Kiddushin 41; Shaar Hakolel 15:3; Shevach Habris 4:8; Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 8:6-20

[2] Siddur Admur; Taz 305:10; Hagahos Beir Hagolah on Rama ibid; Mahariy Bruno 121; Maharil Hilchos Pidyon Haben

^[3] Siddur Admur ibid; Taz 305:10; Maharil ibid; Poskim ibid

[4] Siddur Admur; Rama 305:10 “There are opinions which say that the following procedure is done by the redemption.”

[5] Implication of Admur ibid in Siddur; Implication of Rama 305:10; Implication of Tikkun Hageonim, brought in Rosh Seder Pidyon Bechor in end of Miseches Bechoros, as learns Mahariy Bruno 121; Shevach Habris 4:8 footnote 15 that so he heard from Rav Yoel Kahn that so is the custom

[6] Custom recorded in Mordechai Yevamos 127; Mahariy Bruno 121 that so is the main custom; Minhagei Maharil; Leket Yosher

[7] See Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 8 footnote 29-30; Otzer Pidyon Haben 18:7

[8] Siddur Admur

[9] Siddur Admur; Rama 305:10; Tur 305; Rosh in name of Geonim; See Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 8:12

[10] Chut Hashani 92; Pischeiy Teshuvah 305:15; Aruch Hashulchan 305:35-37; See Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 8 footnote 38

[11] Siddur Admur; Michaber and Rama 305:10; Tur 305; Pesachim; Shevach Habris 3:9

^[12] Shach 305:9; Beir Hagoleh 305; See Taz 305:10

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that the blessing is to be recited as the money is being given to the Kohen [and it is not necessary to recite the blessing before giving him the money]. [Rama ibid] However, even in his opinion, the blessing is not to be delayed until after the money is already given, as all blessings must be set prior to their Mitzvah. [Taz 305:10]

[13] Siddur Admur; Rama 305:10; Tur 305; Rosh end of Bechoros in name of Takanas Geonim; Maharil Hilchos Pidyon Haben; Mahariy Bruno 121; Shevach Habris 3:9

[14] Tur 305; Teshuvas Rav Haiy Gaon in Shaareiy Teshuvah 47; Pardes of Rashi Inyan Pidyon Bechor; Rosh end of Bechoros and Kiddushin; Orchos Chaim Hilchos Pidyon; Kol Bo 94; Shut Harashba 1:200; Abudarham Pidyon Bechor; Maharil Hilchos Pidyon Haben; Mahariy Bruno 121; Shevach Habris 3:9 and footnote 20 that so is the Chabad custom and so he witnessed done by Rav Yoel Kahn who would turn his face towards the child and bless him with all three blessings of Birchas Kohanim.

Omitted from: Ramban Bechoros 62b; Or Zarua Bechoros 523; Terumas Hadeshen 269; Leket Yosher; Tanya Rabasi 98; Rashal ibid; Michaber in Shulchan Aruch; Levush; Siddur Admur

[15] Maharil Hilchos Pidyon Haben; Mahariy Bruno 121; Minhagim Worms 246; Yaavetz in his Siddur; Shevach Habris 3:10

[16] See Rama 305:10; Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 8:10