7. The Kohen – Which Kohen is valid to redeem the child:[1]

Who is believed to be a Kohen?[2] Ideally, a Kohen is only believed to be a Kohen if he is a Kohen Meyuchas. This means that two witnesses testify to his Kehuna lineage which dates back to testimony that his ancestors served in the temple. This form of testimony for a Kohen no longer exists today, and hence we suffice with a Kohen Muchzak. A Kohen Muchzak refers to any individual who claims to be a Kohen and performs Nesias Kapayim and receives a first Aliyah.[3] [Nonetheless, some write that it is proper for one to use as a Kohen for the Pidyon Haben, a Kohen from a prestigious family of Kohanim Meyuchasim, such as the Rappaport family or Kahana family or descendants of the Shach.[4] Furthermore, some write that is proper for one to redeem himself many times throughout his life every time he meets a Kohen in order so he will be redeemed by at least one true Kohen Meyuchas.[5] Others write that due to this worry, one should acquire the redemption money to all of the true Kohanim in the world and then give it to one specific Kohen.[6]]

Discovered that he is not a Kohen after the fact:[7] In the event that the presumed Kohen who receive the redemption money is discovered to not be a Kohen at all, then the firstborn must be redeemed a second time by a valid Kohen, even many years later in life. It goes without saying, that the presumed Kohen must return all the redemption moneys that he ever received to their valid owners.

An adult Kohen versus a Katan:[8] It is disputed amongst the Poskim as to whether the Kohen must be over the age Bar Mitzvah.

An insane Kohen [Shoteh]:[9] It is disputed amongst the Poskim as to whether a Kohen who is  Shoteh is Valid for the redemption.

A male Kohen and not Kohenes:[10] It is only valid to redeem the firstborn child by a male Kohen and not by a Kohenes.

Kohen with blemish or Kerus Shafcha:[11] A Kohen with a blemish is valid to redeem the firstborn child. However, a Kohen who is a Petzua Daka or Kerus Shafcha it is disputed if it is valid to redeem the firstborn child by him.

Kohen Chalal or Mamzer:[12] A Kohen who is a Chalal is invalid to redeem the firstborn child as a Kohen who is a Challal is not considered a Kohen at all. [It is questionable as to what is the status of a Mamzer.]

Kohen Rasha:[13]A Kohen still retains his Kehuna status even if he is a Rasha and performs severe sins such as Giluiy Arayos[14], unless he is guilty of the following sins, in which case he is invalid to redeem the firstborn child: 1) Converted to another religion, even if it is not idolatry, such as Islam [i.e. a Mumar Heretic].[15] 2) Desecrates Shabbos in public.[16] 3) If he transgresses the laws of the priesthood, such as is, or was, married to a [gentile[17]], divorcee, Mamzer, Chalalah, Chalutza, convert, Zonah.[18] 4) Does not avoid the impurity of the dead.[19] 5) Is not circumcised and refuses to do so.[20] In all the above cases he is invalid until he does Teshuvah, with exception to a Kohen who marries any of the above women in which case he must make a vow “Al Daas Rabim” to never marry them again.[21]

Daughter of Kohen committed adultery or conversion: If the daughter of a Kohen is found guilty of adultery, or conversion to another religion, some Poskim[22] rule that her father becomes desecrated from the Kehuna, and is not to be called first to the Torah. Practically, the custom is unlike this opinion.[23]

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[1] See Maharit 148-149; Kneses Yechezkal 56; Tumim 15:3; Chasam Sofer Y.D. 144-145; E.H. 41-42; Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 5:1-28

[2] Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 5:1

[3] Rama E.H. 3:1 that so is custom; Ramach M”B 128:1;

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that a person is not believed to be a Kohen simply by stating so, and rather he must provide testimony of his lineage. [Michaber E.H. 3:1]

[4] Zocher Habris 30:4

[5] Sheilas Yaavetz 1:155; Migdal Oz 6:8

[6] Minchas Chinuch Mitzvah 357

[7] See Michaber E.H. 3:7; Chavos Yair 113; Yad Eliyahu 37; Pischeiy Tehsuvah 305:5; Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 5:26

[8] See Mayim Chaim 4; Maharam Shick Y.D. 296; Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 5:2

[9] See Mayim Chaim 4; Maharam Shick Y.D. 296; Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 5:2 and 28

[10] Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 5:13-14

[11] See Admur 128:44; Piskeiy Teshuvos 135:11; Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 5:15-16

[12] See Admur 128:55; Michaber E.H. 7:20; Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 5:17

Bedieved: See Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 5:27

[13] See Ketzos Hashulchan 85:3; Piskeiy Teshuvos 135:11; Pidyon Haben Kehilchaso 5:17

[14] See Admur 128:51-52; Michaber 128:39; Minchas Chinuch Mitzvah 269; Maharam Shick 1:56; See P”M 135 in Pesicha leaves this matter in question

[15] Admur 128:51 “The Sages decreed that he is desecrated from his holiness and does not perform Nesias Kapayim or read first from the Torah.”

[16] See Admur 128:52 in parentheses “Except for desecrating Shabbos in public, in which case he is like a gentile for all matters”

[17] However, see Admur 128:51 that if it is a prohibition upon all Jews, even non-Kohanim, then he is not desecrated from his Kehuna

[18] Admur 128:53 “If he transgresses the Mitzvos of Kehuna, the Sages fined him and invalidated him for Kehuna even to receive the first Aliyah…this includes a Kohen who married a Gerusha or Chalutza or defiled himself to the dead.”; Shaareiy Efraim 1:37; Ketzos Hashulchan 85:3

[19] Admur ibid; Shaareiy Efraim 1:37; Ketzos Hashulchan 85:3

[20] See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid and 128:79; See Halacha 1E in Q&A. However, see Admur 128:51 that an Aral may perform Nesias Kapayim

[21] Admur 128:52

[22] Opinion in Admur 128:54; Rama 128:41; Mordechai

[23] Admur ibid in parentheses