Pidyon ha-ben (redemption of the first-born) is a relatively rare Jewish ceremony where a firstborn son is brought by his father to a high priest who 'redeems' the baby for five silver shekels.
Historically the firstborn son of each family was duty bound to become a priest, as stated in the Bible.
'You shall give Me the male first-born among your children. You shall do the same with your cattle and your flocks,' it says in Exodus 22:28.
This was interpreted so that all firstborn animals were brought to the priests for sacrifice, while firstborn sons entered the priesthood.
As described in the Book of Exodus, the firstborn Israelite sons were spared from the final plague brought upon the pharaoh, in which God wiped out the firstborn sons of Egypt, an event commemorated every spring at Passover.
However, the Jewish firstborns later lost their priestly privilege when the Israelites committed idolatry when they joined in the worship of the golden calf, following the Exodus from Egypt.
As described in the Book of Exodus, the firstborn Israelite sons were spared from the final plague brought upon the pharaoh, in which God wiped out the firstborn sons of Egypt, an event commemorated every spring at Passover
