עברית
Faith
Why is a firstborn son born via cesarean section not redeemed?
Question
I understand that a firstborn born through a non-natural birth such as a cesarean section does not undergo the redemption of a firstborn son. Yet, we recite verses from the holy Torah each day stating, "Every firstborn male among your sons you shall redeem." Surely, the Torah was aware of all situations, yet it chose to write the word "every" at the beginning. Why is this child not redeemed as a firstborn son?
Thank you very much.
Answer
Hello,
The reason is that the Torah (Exodus 13:2) states that only one who is a 'firstborn of the womb' is obligated to undergo the redemption, meaning that only one born through the womb of his mother is required to be redeemed. Therefore, one born via cesarean section, who did not exit through his mother’s womb, is exempt from the redemption of the firstborn.
This is the language of the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah (Section 321, Paragraph 24) where it states that an exception (meaning one born via cesarean section) and the one born afterward naturally are both exempt, the first because he did not exit from the womb, and the second because he came afterward.
Best regards,
Hillel Meirs
