A ceremony of the redemption of the firstborn, Lior Manuilov – son of Leah Ginda and Alon Pinchas Manuilov, grandson of the esteemed Reb David Yisroel Dov Manuilov and his wife Chagit – took place at the Jewish Community of Dnipro.
Thirty full days after Lior’s birth, the “pidyon haben” – the redemption of the firstborn – took place. According to Jewish tradition, the first boy born to his mother is redeemed from a kohen if the child is not a descendant of kohanim or Levites and has the status of “Yisraeli.”
The joyous event gathered relatives, friends, and members of the Jewish Community of Dnipro. In honor of the fulfillment of this important mitzvah, a seudas mitzvah was arranged – a special festive meal that is an integral part of the celebration.
Lior’s grandfather, Reb David Yisroel Dov Manuilov, addressed those gathered, speaking about the spiritual significance of the mitzvah of redeeming the firstborn. Then a descendant of the High Priest of the Jerusalem Temple, Kohen Nochum Chaim Erentroy, Chief Rabbi of Zaporizhzhia, explained why it is specifically the kohen who is authorized by the Torah to perform the “pidyon haben,” what the five silver coins symbolize, and why the redemption is performed specifically on the thirtieth day after the child’s birth.
Afterward, the baby, according to tradition, was placed on a silver tray, and those present removed their gold jewelry and placed it next to the child. This custom recalls how the Jews collected gold jewelry for the construction of the Mishkan.
Rabbi Erentroy then recited Kiddush. After the father officially informed the kohen that before him was his firstborn, born thirty days ago to a mother with the status of “Yisraeli,” the kohen asked the established question: what does the father prefer – to give him his son or to pay a redemption price for him, as Jewish law prescribes. Alon Pinchas Manuilov handed the kohen five silver coins and recited two blessings – for the fulfillment of the mitzvah of redeeming the firstborn and “Shehecheyanu.” The priestly blessing for Lior was recited by Rabbis Nachum Chaim and Dovber Erentroy.
After the ceremony concluded, Rabbi Moishe Leib Weber read a letter from the Lubavitcher Rebbe dedicated to the mitzvah of redeeming the firstborn.
The Jewish Community of Dnipro and our website join from the bottom of our hearts in the congratulations and wish Lior Manuilov to grow up healthy and happy, to bring much joy to his family, and to come to Torah, Chuppah, and good deeds!
Mazal Tov!
