Pidyon HaBen

Today was Seth's Pidyon HaBen. We are sure most of you have not encountered this Jewish life cycle event before. Pidyon Ha'Ben, the "redemption of the first born son," takes place when a baby is at least 31 days old, and involves "buying him back from a Kohen." The biblical basis for this mitzvah (good deed) is very complicated so we will not get into it. But it is only performed when the first born is a son and some other conditions are met. We read that only 1 in 10 Jewish families meet these requirements.

To show love for the mitzvah, the baby is usually brought in on a silver tray decorated with jewelry (see above).

During the very short ceremony: The father attests to the fact that this is indeed his first-born son. The Kohen then asks the father: "Which do you prefer, to give me your first born or to redeem him?" (It is really a rhetorical question, because the Torah requires the father to redeem the son.) So the father pays 5 silver coins to redeem his son.

If none of this makes sense don't worry! Seth has been "redeemed" and we enjoyed some lunch with some family and friends. And got a cute picture of Seth on our silver tray covered in Lauren's jewelry.