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Exodus 13:2 - Firstborns belong to Hashem

Exodus 13:2 - שמות 13:2

Hebrew Text

קַדֶּשׁ־לִי כָל־בְּכוֹר פֶּטֶר כָּל־רֶחֶם בִּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּאָדָם וּבַבְּהֵמָה לִי הוּא׃

English Translation

Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Yisra᾽el, both of man and of beast: it is mine.

Transliteration

Kadesh-li kol-bekhor peter kol-rekhem bivnei Yisrael ba'adam uvabehemah li hu.

Hebrew Leining Text

קַדֶּשׁ־לִ֨י כׇל־בְּכ֜וֹר פֶּ֤טֶר כׇּל־רֶ֙חֶם֙ בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בָּאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה לִ֖י הֽוּא׃
קַדֶּשׁ־לִ֨י כׇל־בְּכ֜וֹר פֶּ֤טֶר כׇּל־רֶ֙חֶם֙ בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בָּאָדָ֖ם וּבַבְּהֵמָ֑ה לִ֖י הֽוּא׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Sanctity of the Firstborn

The verse (Shemot 13:2) commands the sanctification of every firstborn male among Bnei Yisrael, both human and animal. This mitzvah originates from the Exodus, where Hashem spared the firstborn of Yisrael during Makkat Bechorot (the Plague of the Firstborn) in Mitzrayim (Rashi, Shemot 13:2). The firstborn thus became consecrated to Hashem as a perpetual remembrance of this divine intervention.

Human Firstborns: Pidyon HaBen

For human firstborns, the Torah later designates the Kohanim to serve in their place (Bamidbar 3:12-13). As such, a firstborn son must be redeemed through the mitzvah of Pidyon HaBen (Redemption of the Firstborn) by giving five silver shekalim to a Kohen (Rambam, Hilchot Bikkurim 11:1). This ritual underscores that every Jewish firstborn inherently belongs to Hashem and requires symbolic redemption.

Firstborn Animals: Korbanot and Kedusha

Firstborn kosher animals (bechor tahor) were brought as korbanot in the Beit HaMikdash, while non-kosher animals (bechor tameh) were either redeemed or given to a Kohen (Chullin 11a). The Mishnah (Bechorot 2:1) details the laws of blemishes disqualifying a firstborn animal from sacrifice, emphasizing the high standard of kedusha required for offerings.

Theological Significance

  • Divine Ownership: The phrase "li hu" ("it is Mine") reinforces that all firstborns inherently belong to Hashem (Sforno, Shemot 13:2).
  • Historical Reminder: The mitzvah serves as an eternal memorial of Yetziat Mitzrayim (Midrash Tanchuma, Bo 17).
  • Service to Hashem: Originally, firstborns were meant for priestly service; after the sin of the Golden Calf, this role transferred to the Levites (Rashi, Bamidbar 3:45).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bekhorot 2b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the sanctity of firstborn animals and humans, and their redemption.
📖 Pesachim 96a
Referenced in a discussion about the sanctification of the firstborn and their role in the Exodus narrative.
📖 Zevachim 115b
Mentioned in relation to the sacrificial laws and the status of firstborn animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'Sanctify to me all the firstborn' mean in Exodus 13:2?
A: This verse commands the Jewish people to dedicate their firstborn sons and firstborn animals to Hashem. According to Rashi, this sanctification means that the firstborn have a special status and are set aside for holy purposes, such as serving in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) before the Kohanim (priests) were chosen.
Q: Why did Hashem claim the firstborn in Exodus 13:2?
A: The Midrash explains that the firstborn were sanctified because Hashem spared the Jewish firstborn during the plague of the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12:29-30). This mitzvah serves as an eternal reminder of that miracle and our gratitude to Hashem for redeeming us from Egypt.
Q: How is the sanctification of the firstborn applied today?
A: Today, we fulfill this mitzvah through Pidyon HaBen (Redemption of the Firstborn), where a father redeems his firstborn son from a Kohen (priest) with five silver coins (based on Numbers 18:16). Firstborn kosher animals are still given to a Kohen, while non-kosher animals must be redeemed or have their necks broken (Exodus 13:13).
Q: Does Exodus 13:2 apply to both humans and animals?
A: Yes, the verse explicitly mentions both 'man and beast.' Human firstborn sons are sanctified and redeemed, while firstborn kosher animals (like sheep or cows) are given to the Kohen. The Rambam (Hilchot Bikkurim 1:1-2) details the laws regarding both.
Q: What is the deeper lesson from Exodus 13:2?
A: The Talmud (Kiddushin 29b) teaches that this mitzvah reminds us that everything we have—even our first and best—ultimately belongs to Hashem. By dedicating our firstborn, we acknowledge His sovereignty and express gratitude for His miracles, reinforcing our commitment to serving Him with our most precious possessions.