Bechoros Daf 49
The Daf continues cases of mixed-up firstborn sons. If two fathers paid one Kohen and one baby dies within thirty days, the fathers can join together using Harsha’ah – power of attorney – to recover the five Sela’im that the Kohen definitely does not deserve.
If a Bechor dies before thirty days, the Pidyon money is returned. If he dies after thirty days, the obligation has already taken effect. If he dies on day thirty, the Chachamim exempt the father, while Rebbi Akiva considers it a Safek: whoever currently holds the money keeps it.
If a father dies before the time for Pidyon HaBen, we assume he did not pay early. If he lived beyond the normal time of Pidyon, there is a Chazakah that he performed the Mitzvah.
What happens if a man discovers that he himself was never redeemed and he also needs to redeem his son, but only has five Sela’im? Rebbi Yehudah says he redeems himself first – Mitzvah D’Gufei Adif: his own personal Mitzvah takes priority.
Can Pidyon money be given before thirty days to take effect later? If the money is still there when the proper time arrives, it can work. Rav and Shmuel disagree if the Kohen already spent it. Rav compares it to delayed Kiddushin, while Shmuel says Pidyon is different because the Mitzvah did not yet exist when the money was given. The Halachah follows Shmuel.
Finally, the Daf discusses whether the Pidyon obligation creates a lien on property that was sold. If it does, there can even be a way for someone with only five Sela’im in cash to accomplish both his own Pidyon and his son’s Pidyon.
Have a wonderfull shaboss
Iliui mishmas Imi morosi Ruth bas Harav Menachem Mendel
