Precedence of whom to redeem:[1]

Person in captivity:[2] Redeeming oneself from captivity takes precedence over redeeming any other captive, including one’s own father or Rebbe, with exception to one’s mother, as will be explained below.

Male versus female captive:[3] A female captive is given precedence to be redeemed over a male captive unless the capturers are accustomed to practice homosexuality, in which case the redemption of the male captive receives precedence over the redemption of a female captive. [However, if the life of the male captive is in danger, then he receives precedence over the female captive, even if the life of the female captive is also in danger.[4] Likewise, redeeming oneself from captivity takes precedence over redeeming a female captive, unless the female captive is one’s mother as explained next.[5]]

Mother versus others:[6] Redeeming ones mother from captivity takes precedence over the redemption of any other captive, including oneself[7] one’s father and Rebbe, if they were all taken into captivity.[8] [However, if one’s life is in danger, then redeeming himself takes precedence over anyone else, including his own mother.[9]]

Father versus others:[10] Redeeming ones father from captivity takes precedence over the redemption of any other captive, with exception to one’s mother, oneself, and one’s Rebbe [if the father is not a Torah scholar[11]] who all take precedence over one’s father.  

Rebbe versus others:[12] Redeeming ones Rebbe from captivity takes precedence over the redemption of any other captive, including one’s father [if the father is an ignoramus], with exception to one’s mother and oneself, who all take precedence over one’s Rebbe. [However, if one’s father is a Torah scholar, then he is to be redeemed prior to his Rebbe, even if his Rebbe is of a greater caliber of Torah knowledge.[13]]

Father verses Rebbe: Redeeming ones Rebbe receives precedence over one’s father unless one’s father is also a Torah scholar, as stated above.

Wife versus others:[14] Redeeming ones wife from captivity receives precedence over the redemption of [any other captive including ones father and Rebbe[15] and even over] oneself. Thus if a couple were captured, the husband would need to redeem his wife before redeeming himself.

___________________________________________________

[1] Michaber Y.D. 252:8-9; Mishneh Horiyos 13a

[2] Michaber Y.D. 252:9; Mishneh Horiyos 13a

[3] Michaber Y.D. 252:8; Mishneh Horiyos 13a; Hagahos Mordechai Kesubos Remez 266

[4] See Rama ibid; Taz 252:6; Horiyos 13a that the life of a man takes precedence over the life of a woman

The reason: As a man is obligated in more Mitzvos. [Taz ibid]

[5] Implication of Michaber Y.D. 252:9 and Shach 252:9 who only mentions one’s mother as taking precedence over one’s own redemption, hence implying that only ones mother takes precedence to oneself and not another female.

[6] Michaber Y.D. 252:9; Mishneh Horiyos 13a

[7] Implication of Michaber ibid; Shach 252:9

[8] The reason: The reason for this is because it is a lot more degrading for her to be in captivity, as they commonly use her to sin [i.e. sexual rape]. Hence, although in general one is required to precede his father to his mother in honor and respect, nonetheless, regarding redeeming from captivity the mother receives precedence over the father due to the above reason. [Shach 252:9-10; Beir Sheva p. 22]

[9] Shach 252:10

[10] Michaber Y.D. 252:9; Mishneh Horiyos 13a

[11] Shach 252:8

[12] Michaber Y.D. 252:9; Mishneh Horiyos 13a

[13] Shach 252:8; Michaber 242:34

[14] Michaber Y.D. 252:10; Hagahos Mordechai Kesubos Remez 288

[15] Implication of Michaber ibid, as if she receives precedence over oneself, then certainly she receives precedence over one’s father whom one has precedence over.

Wife versus mother: Tzaruch Iyun if ones wife takes precedence over ones mother. Perhaps she takes precedence due to his Kesuba obligation to redeem her.