There are 248 positive Mitzvahs. Nearly half are not applicable nowadays, in absence of the Temple, a monarchy, the Sanhedrin and so forth. Of the ones that are applicable, several are very uncommon, such as the redemption of a firstling donkey. A Mitzvah that is performed a bit more frequently is Pidyon Haben - the redemption of an Israelite firstborn.
However, there are many parameters that narrow the potential for this Mitzvah to be observed. The firstborn must be a male (as it commemorates G-d saving the firstborn Israelite males from the plague of the firstborn in Egypt). His birth cannot have been preceded by a previous pregnancy. His birth cannot have been by c-section. His father cannot be a Kohen or a Levi. His mother cannot be the daughter of a Kohen or a Levi. I am not a statistician, but, due to these rules, the percentage of families that actually perform this Mitzvah is pretty low.
In our family (the extended New Orleans based Rivkin family) we have never had a Pidyon Haben. This is because we are Kohanim, and therefore all my siblings are precluded from this Mitzvah, as either the father or mother of the baby are from a Kohen family. This has been true of the next generation (our married children) as well, up until this point. This weekend will be the first time a Pidyon Haben is celebrated in our family. My nephew, Schneur Schapiro, and his wife Devorah had a firstborn baby boy last month. Neither Schneur’s nor Devorah’s father is a Kohen or a Levi. So, their son is eligible for a Pidyon Haben. While my father, as a Kohen, has officiated at many a Pidyon Haben over the years, this will be the first opportunity to do so for one of his descendants. A rare mitzvah indeed. Mazel Tov to the parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and the entire family.
This week marked the end of the school year here in the New Orleans area. I had the opportunity to attend a graduation and a closing ceremony for Slater Torah Academy. Each of these events should be a source of pride for the New Orleans Jewish community. We should “kvell” at what this educational institution is producing. Children who are knowledgeable in Judaic and General studies, with a deeply positive awareness of their Jewish identity, respectful and caring, developing into good citizens and good Jews. Each of the graduates spoke eloquently about their educational experience. The younger children articulately shared the lessons they had acquired throughout the school year. Once could sense the palpable caring and connection between the staff and the students. The partnership between Slater Torah Academy parents and educators, and the rapport they share, is very evident. For photos see, https://www.facebook.com/torahacademynola/ or www.Stanola.com/blog.
Jewish education is the key to Jewish continuity. We need the partnership to expand to the greater New Orleans Jewish community so that our community can continue to be a beneficiary of an institution such as Slater Torah Academy.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all those that extended warm wishes and blessings to me in connection with my reaching the half century mark! May Hashem bless us to be able to share happy occasions together.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin