Question: Is the Pidyon HaBen ceremony held if the baby is born after a miscarriage?
Dear Rabbi,
My daughter's first pregnancy resulted in a miscarriage somewhere
between the 35th and 42nd day. Her second pregnancy resulted in the
birth of a beautiful baby boy on March 11th. Question: since she is
not sure when the miscarriage occurred, do we have Pidyon HaBen? We
are Israelites.
Thanks, Jacqueline
Answer: Dear Jacqueline,
Thank you for writing about such an initial disappointment but thereafter what a wonderful announcement and ultimately a wonderful simcha!
Traditionally, it is your Rabbi or the officiating Rabbi who will determine if there is to be a Pidyon HaBen.
If the miscarriage occurred between the first 40 days - the time apparently the Sages determined was one in which the fetus hadn't yet assumed human form - then a Pidyon HaBen is expected. After 40 days, then your grandson would have followed a true miscarriage and no Pidyon HaBen is expected (Yoreh Deah 305:23).
Since the time frame you outlined provided the majority of time under 40 days, and assuming that the family wanted the opportunity to celebrate with a Pidyon HaBen, my own personal feeling would be to encourage that celebration. On the other hand, if for any reason the Pidyon HaBen is problematic in terms of the families, then you can rely on the law to not have one.
Today, as the brit milah is too often at an inconvenient time for everyone, I have seen most of my colleagues use the Pidyon HaBen as an opportunity for family coming together with friends and even neighbors to share the goodness in life and the hopes for this young boy. May he be blessed with the fulfillment of all your hopes and prayers and live in a world at peace.
Best wishes and mazal tov.
Rabbi Dov
