Commentary by Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis

Beyond that we have the pidyon. The pidyon ha-ben, is the dedication of the child on the 31st day. And this window depicts the five s'la-im,the five coins, which one gives to the cohen, or which one dedicates to a charity of meaning. And above that is the ureem v'tumim, the breast plate of the priest which has 12 different gems or stones and the 12 represent the 12 tribes of Israel. These days there are many people who also have the pidyon for the first born daughter, and a ritual is performed. I advocate that we have this redemption not only for the first born but for all of the children, because I think it is sound and it's meaningful and many people have adopted this.

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