Pidyon Haben Archives

גדול שלא פדאו אביו, ועכשיו אב ובנו לפנינו ורוצים שניהם לקיים המצוה. מיהו הפודה בפועל? האב או הבן בעצמו?

תשובה: המצוה מוטלת על האב. והוא קודם לבנו. אבל לצאת ידי הדעות שהמצוה על הבן, יפדה האב גם בשליחות הבן ויועיל לדעת הסוברים דשליחות מהני. ואם רוצה יכול הבן…

How is a פדיון הבן done with a firstborn son and the father is not Jewish?

To avoid all issues, the accepted Psak is that the local Beis Din redeems him after 30 days without a Bracha, on a tenai, and he redeems himself again…

Is the Kohen by a Pidyon Haben during the nine days allowed to eat meat and drink wine?

The Baalei Mitzva including yourself as the Kohen, all family members and very close friends are permitted to have Meat and Wine at the Seudas Pidyon Haben. If the…

Does one recite Tachanun at Mincha taking place in the house right before the Pidyon Haben is taking place? Does it make a difference if the baby is not present for the Pidyon?

There is no official Chabad custom on the matter. I believe the common custom is to say Tachanun, although those who don’t say have ground to rely on. …

Would it be OK to make a Pidyon Haben right before Shkiyah, and then continue the Seuda into Shabbos like a Purim that falls Erev Shabbos? Or would you advise just to do it earlier in the day and have a Seudah midday with a smaller group? Does there need to be a Minyan?

The Seudah should ideally take place before the tenth Halachic hour in the day. There is no need to have a Minyan, although it is recommended. Best not to…

The 31st day of a B’chor comes out to be on Erev Shabbos, but it would be much easier and more Kavodik to do on Sunday morning. Would that be permissible to push off Pidyon Haben to day 33 instead?

This is absolutely forbidden. Every day that passes after the correct time one violates a Mitzvas Aseh. Sources: בתניא רבתי צח, והובא בשער הכולל טו, ב: מאימתי חייב בפדיון…

We know a Baal Teshuvah who wants to do a Pidyon Haben for a family member who is not interested in it. What is the Din with a Pidyon Haben for an adult who did not have it as a child – can it be done by someone else on his behalf without him being present?

There is a Machlokes if it is effective. It should be done without a Brachah. Shehechayanu should be recited on a new fruit or garment. The following Nusach should be…

If a Pidyon Haben falls out on Shabbos, do we do it on Motzei Shabbos (זריזין מקדימין), or is there a problem to do it at night?

Generally a Pidyon Haben is not done at night. In this case, however, there is a Machlokes. L'maaseh, it should be done Sunday morning. Sources: כן אפשר לדייק קצת…

My son was born to a Jewish mother before I converted. After I converted and became Frum, I made a Pidyon for him. I’m told now that I wasn’t supposed to do it. What do we do now? He is already well past Bar Mitzvah.

Your son should do a Pidyon Haben, but without a Bracha. Sources: שו״ע יו״ד שה, יח. והנה כשאין האב נמצא, ראה רמ״א שה, י ע"פ ריב"ש סימן קלא. ש״ך יא.…