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The
Heritage
Procedure
for the Redemption of the Firstborn by the father with the child
present
The
Kohen washes his hands and breaks bread. In many communities all the
participants in the meal break bread at this time. The mother brings
in the child. Whil standing and holding his child, the father states:
This
is my firstborn son who is the firstborn of his mother. And the Holy
one Blessed be He has commanded to redeem him as it is written, “And
the [firstborn’s] redemption shall be from one month of age at thre
valuation of five silver shekels, the holy shekels, witch
is worth 20 gerah.” And it is written, “Sanctify to Me all the
firstborn, that which opens every womb among the children of Israel-of
man or of animal-to Me it shall be.” (exodus 13:2)
The
Kohen then asks:
Which
do you prefer, to give me your firstborn son who has opened his mother’s
womb, or redeem him for five silver shekels as the Torah commands?
The
father replies:
I choose
to redeem my son. Take redemption money which the torah obligates me
to give.
While
holding the redemption money in his hand, the father recites the blessing:
Blessed
are You, the Eternal our God, King of the Universe Who has sanctified
us with his commandments and has commanded us regarding redemption of
the [firstborn] son.
Blessed
ar You, the Eternal our God, King of the Universe Who has kept
us alive and sustained us and brought us to this time.
The
father presents the Kohen with the redemption money. The Kohen says
the blessing “ borei pri hagefen” and drinks some wine. With the redemption
money in his right hand, while moving the coins in a circular pattern
over the head of the firstborn, the Kohen recites:
This
[the coins] instead of this [firstborn son]; this in exchange for this;
this is pardoned because of this. May his firstborn son enter into life,
into Torah, and into awareness of heaven. May it be Your will that just
as he has entered into this redemption, so may he enter into Torah,
marriage, and good deeds.
Putting
away the coins and placing his right hand on the child’s head, the Kohen
blesses him.
May
God make you like Ephraim and Menashe. May God bless you and keep you.
May God shin His countenance upon you and be gracious to you. May God
turn his countenance to you and give you peace. May He grant you length
of days and years of life and peace. May God keep you from all evil,
may He grant your soul.
Procedure
for the Redemption of the Firstborn by the firstborn himself
The
Kohen washes his hands and breaks bread. In many communities all the
participants in the meal break bread at this time as well. The first
born declares:
I am
the firstborn of my mother, and the Holy one Blessed be He commanded
us to redeem the firstborn. I have not been redeemed by my father and
I remain with the obligation to redeem myself, as it is written in the
Torah “All your firstborn sons shall be redeemed” (Exodus 34:20), and
it is learned from this that the firstborn is to redeem himself. And
I am here and now prepared to fulfill this Mitzvah.
The
Kohen asks:
Which
do you prefer: yourself or the five silver shekels (or its equivalent)
that you are obligated to give for your redemption?
The
firstborn answers:
I prefer
(to redeem) myself,and you take the five silver coins.
While
holding the redemption money in his hand, the firstborn recites the
blessing:
Blessed
are You, the Eternal our God, King of the Universe, who commanded us
regarding the redemption of the firstborn.
Blessed
are You, the Eternal our God, King of the Universe who has kept us alive
and sustained us and brought us to this time.
The
firstborn then presents the Kohen with the coins. The kohen says the
blessing “borei pri hagefen” and drinks some wine. With the redemption
money in his right hand ,and moving the coins in a circular pattern
over the head of the firstborn, the Kohen recites:
This
[the coins] instead of this [firstborn]; this in exchange for this;
this is pardoned because of this. This(money) goes to the Kohen
and you will enter into life, into Torah, and into awareness of heaven.
May it be His will that just as you have entered into this redemption,
so may you enter into Torah and good deeds.
Putting
away the coins and placing his right hand on the firstborn’s head the
Kohen blesses him.
May
God make you like Ephraim and Menashe. May God bless you and keep you.
May God shin His countenance upon you and be gracious to you. May God
turn his countenance to you and give you peace. May He grant you length
of days and years of life and peace. May God keep you from all evil,
may He grant your soul.
The
Heritage
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