Author Topic: Pidyon Ha-Ben  (Read 2217 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Maimonides

  • Pro JTFer
  • *****
  • Posts: 645
  • The Greatest Jewish Sage
Pidyon Ha-Ben
« on: June 23, 2008, 10:07:08 PM »
What is your opinion of Pidyon Ha-Ben (Redemption of the First Born)?

http://www.jewishaz.com/commdir/page.mv?0601
Quote
The pidyon ha-ben ceremony takes place on the 30th day after the birth of a first-born son. The tradition is based on the biblical understanding that first-born sons were dedicated to serve G-d in the temple. In order to redeem them from that obligation, five shekels were exchanged with the temple priests, who then served in the temple instead of the first-born.

The ceremony today involves a symbolic exchange of five silver coins with a descendant of the Kohen family of temple priests. The coins then may be donated to a Jewish charity

Should it still be a tradition now since there is no Temple right now and how many mohels are really legitimate Kohanim?

In addition what if a Jewish family is poor and cannot afford five silver coins?

Things like this turn-off many Jews from Judaism because it causes them to see religion as an organized scheme to steal them of their money.
« Last Edit: June 23, 2008, 10:09:57 PM by Maimonides »
“You must accept the truth from whatever source it comes”- Maimonides

Offline Lubab

  • Honorable Winged Member
  • Master JTFer
  • *
  • Posts: 1641
Re: Pidyon Ha-Ben
« Reply #1 on: June 25, 2008, 11:07:27 PM »
Just wanted to let you know I responded to this question on my thread:

http://jtf.org/forum_english/index.php?board=74.0
"It is not upon you to finish the work, nor are you free to desist from it." Rabbi Tarfon, Pirkei Avot.