Three Criteria for Pidyon HaBein
There are three criteria for Pidyon HaBein:
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First child born of a mother must be male.
Note If a woman miscarries a fetus that has already developed limbs, any male child born after that is not considered a first-born male (bechor) and no pidyon is done.
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Boy must not have been born by caesarean section.
Note A boy who was born normally after his brother was born via caesarean section is NOT a bechor.
- Mother may not be the daughter of a cohen or levi (priestly family or assistants) and the father may not be a cohen or levi.
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