"This is the Redemption of my Firstborn Son" • Pidyon HaBen for the

Last Wednesday, the 10th of Kislev, Parshat Vayishlach, the Pidyon HaBen (Redemption of the Firstborn) for the great-grandson of our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, Nathan, may his light shine, took place at the residence of Rabbi Berland shlit"a. The child is the firstborn son of R' Naftali Hertz Goldschmidt, may Hashem protect and sustain him, son of the Chassid R' Nachman Goldschmidt shlit"a, one of the prominent members of our community in Beit Shemesh. He is the son-in-law of the Rav's eldest grandson, the Chassid R' Nachman Zucker shlit"a, who is the son-in-law of the Mashpia (spiritual mentor) the Chassid R' Yehoshua Ber Rubinstein shlit"a.

The Pidyon HaBen ceremony began at 3:30 PM as our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, sat upon the holy chair at his pure table. Upon the Rav's entry into his residence, the father of the child, R' Naftali Goldschmidt, recited the blessing over the redemption and weighed out the five silver shekels to the distinguished Kohen (priest) and Moreh Tzedek (halakhic authority) of our community, the Gaon and Chassid R' Nachman Cohen shlit"a, who declared, "Behold, he is redeemed according to the law of Moses and Israel." After the redemption, as is customary, the Gaon R' Nachman Cohen blessed the redeemed firstborn infant, Nathan, may his light shine, with the Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing). Immediately after the blessing, they burst into song and melody for a full hour of joy and dancing during the seudah (festive meal) of the Pidyon, which is equivalent to 84 fasts. Our teacher, the Rav shlit"a, blessed the baby and distributed small bags of sugar cubes and cloves of garlic as a segulah (spiritual remedy). At 4:05 PM, the Rav shlit"a began delivering a majestic and awe-inspiring shiur (Torah lesson) during the Pidyon HaBen ceremony.

After a long lesson of exactly one hour, at 5:05 PM, the Rav began singing "V're'eh banim l'vanecha" (And may you see children born to your children) for an hour and thirty-five minutes! The Rav shlit"a was in a state of great vitality, clapping his hands and even signaling the assembled crowd to jump to their feet and dance with joy. At 6:40 PM, the Rav shlit"a instructed the great-grandfather, the Chassid R' Yehoshua Ber Rubinstein shlit"a, to lead the Zimun (invitation to Grace After Meals) over a cup of wine. After Birkat HaMazon (Grace After Meals), the Rav shlit"a began another lesson for about fifteen minutes, and at 7:00 PM, after four hours of the Pidyon HaBen ceremony, the Rav shlit"a retired to his inner chamber.