The weight of five silver shekalim is generally agreed to be a minimum of
100 grams (currently valued at 16 dollars). This value can be given to the
Kohen in kind but not as a cheque or promissory note, however the custom is
to use silver coins.
The coins may be returned to the father by the Kohen after the ceremony as
long as it is made clear beforehand that they are an outright gift, with an
understanding that they be returned subsequently. However the father should
offer an appropriate alternative gift to fulfil the spirit as well as the
minimum requirement of the mitzvah.
Since there is a dispute as to whether a ‘month’ constitutes the completion
of 30 days or the halachic lunar cycle of 29 days 12 hours and 44 minutes,
the ceremony is performed on the 31st day to fulfil both requirements.
For this reason the ceremony is best performed later in the day and not at
night-time, or early morning as an early ceremony might fall within the
‘month’ if the baby had been born near to nightfall in the summer period.
If the 31st day occurred on a fast day the ceremony should be performed
during the day, preferably towards evening time, and the Seudah should take
place at night following the termination of the fast.
Although a child from a non-Jewish father has a responsibility to redeem
himself upon becoming Bar Mitzvah, nevertheless the community represented by
the Beth Din or communal rabbi should assume the responsibility after 30
days to perform the ceremony confirming the Jewish identity of the child and
expressing hope and prayer for its Jewish future.
If a daughter of a Kohen conceived a child from a non-Jew, and it were her
first born, a Pidyon Haben should nevertheless take place, as her family
status was invalidated by the sexual relationship.
