* shalt thou redeem.
Redemption of the firstborn is one of the rites which are
still practised among the Jews. According to Leo of Modena,
it is performed in the following manner:--When the child is
thirty days old, the father sends for one of the descendants
of Aaron: several persons being assembled on the occasion,
the father brings a cup, containing several pieces of gold and
silver coin. The priest then takes the child into his arms,
and addressing himself to the mother, he says, "Is this thy
son?" Mother. "Yes." Priest. "Hast thou never had another
child, male or female, a miscarriage, or untimely birth?"
Mother. "No." Priest. "This being the case, this child, as
firstborn, belongs to me." Then turning to the father, he
says, "If it be thy desire to have this child, thou must
redeem it." Father. "I present thee with this gold and
silver for this purpose." Priest. "Thou dost wish,
therefore, to redeem this child?" Father. "I do wish so to
do." The priest then turning himself to the assembly, says,
"Very well: this child, as first-born, is mine; as it is
written in Bemidbar, (ch. 18:16,) Thou shalt redeem the
first-born of a month old for five shekels; but I shall
content myself with this in exchange." He then takes two gold
crowns, or thereabouts, and returns the child to his parents.
* according.
3:47 Le 27:2-7
* which is.
Ex 30:13 Le 27:25 Eze 45:12
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