Page 8 - Demo

The Summit Institute
PIDYON HABEN- REDEEMING ONE’S SON
| By a Foster Father from the Jerusalem Area
The truth is that it’s not always easy to love your foster child because you know that he can’t be loved in the same way as his siblings. It’s tough, because you feel broken over all that he’s missing and you know that you’ll never be able to rival the “real thing.”
It’s tough because his life story is one of lacking, and for him- if we’re gonna be completely honest- whatever we can give him it will never be enough.
There is a unique mitzvah (commandment) of Pidyon Haben. The oldest male child, if he was born in a natural birth with no
prior miscarriage and if he doesn’t come from a line of Levites or Kohanim, that child is redeemed by a Kohen. This is an ancient reminder of the plague of the oldest son and their role in the family- chosen by God to be the first.
Yesterday I gave five coins to the Kohen to replicate this process. A symbolic redemption to show my love for this boy that I, and my family, have been blessed to have in our lives.
This child is a true treasure and this gave me the chance to love him just a little more. And with him in our lives we’re that much richer.