Firstborn (Judaism)

This article is about the firstborn son in Judaism. For the rights of the firstborn in general, see Primogeniture.

A Bechor, literally "firstborn," is a term used in Rabbinic Judaism that refers to a first born son; either the firstborn of his father, who is entitled to receive a double portion of his father's inheritance (compared to the other siblings), or the firstborn of his mother, who is required to be redeemed from a Kohen if the father and mother are both yisr'elim (Israelites) (see: Pidyon haben). Only a firstborn who "opens the whom of his mother" has a higher level of kedusha.

The firstborn of one's mother is referred to in the Bible as one who "opens the womb" of his mother. Therefore, the firstborn of the father exclusively, although considered as a Bechor regarding his father's inheritance, is not considered as a Bechor regarding the requirement to be redeemed, as the mother's womb has already been opened by his half-sibling, the firstborn of his mother.

Bechor is also referred to as the first born animal to open the womb of its mother. The animal Bechor (Bechor B'hema in Hebrew) is listed as one of The twenty-four Kohanic gifts.

Dispute among Poskim

There is a matter of dispute among the poskim (early Rabbinic authorities) regarding whether a first born son who is a Jewish convert (whose biological mother is not considered to be his mother) or from a caesarean section has the laws of a Bechor.

The Bechor's service to the Jewish people

Originally, the Bechor of every Jewish family was intended to serve as a Kohen in the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) as Kohanim to the Jewish people but lost this role after the sin of the Golden Calf when it was transferred to the male decedents of Aaron. However, according to some, this role will be given back to the Bechor in the third Beit HaMikdash when Moshiach comes. Until this time, a Bechor still has certain other roles. Besides receiving double the father's inheritance and requiring a pidyon haben, a Bechor is supposed to fast on the Eve of Pesach (see: Fast of the Firstborn) and in the absence of a Levite, a Bechor washes the hands of the Kohen prior to blessing the Israelites (see: Priestly Blessing).