Ransom of the Firstborn Sons
In ancient times, the firstborn, whether human or animal, belonged to God, and this was God's command. The first-born son of the family was raised in the service of God and became priests, servants or musicians in the Holy Temple. Later, when the Kohen tribe took over the duty of serving in the Temple, the first-born sons were freed from this duty by paying a ransom of five shekels to a Kohen. In this way, the firstborn sons of each family were bought back from the Kohen.
The pidyon haben ceremony is held on the 31st day after birth. The baby must be the mother's first baby and must be a boy. There is also a requirement that the baby be born through normal birth and that the mother has not had a miscarriage before that. It is the father's duty to pay ransom for his son. In the Torah, the ransom amount to be paid for pidyon haben is five silver coins. It is designated as 96 grams of silver. Silver spoons are given in in the Turkish tradition. Pidyon haben cannot be paid with money.
