Ask the Rabbi
- Family and Society
- Happy Occasions
- Pidyon Haben
Question
With regard to firstborns by C-section:
Why is a C-section interpreted to be NOT a form of "opening the womb", when that interpretation forbids the doing of the Torah mitzvah of Pidyon Haben?
Answer
"Peter Rechem" (Bamidbar 18 15) is understood by our sages to be the baby born that opens the womb, a cesarean baby doesn't open the womb, it is opened for him, therefor exempt from Pidyon - redeeming.
(Bechorot 19a; Tanchuma Bo 11)
Pidyon haBen
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Av 19, 5772
Pidyon Haben by a cohen who is married to a giyoret
Rabbi David Sperling | Tammuz 27, 5773
Pidyon Haben
Various Rabbis | Shevat 20, 5768
