The Wonders of Harav Yitzchack Kadouri

93 Redeeming the firstborn In , Mr. A. approached Rabbi Yosef Chaim Gadol shli- ta, one of the close students of the Rav, with an unusual request. He had a farm in Nehariya, and they had several newborn foals on the ranch. Being that the Torah obligates the owner of donkeys to redeem their ¿rst born foals, he wanted to know if the Rav would be interested in participating in such a ceremony. Harav Yosef Chaim asked the Rav, “Has the Rav ever participated in such a redemption before?” The Rav answered that at the age of over one hundred, he never took part in such a mitzvah. He was overjoyed at the oppor- tunity, and agreed to attend, despite the large crowd that was expected to show up at the well-publicized event, in the plaza in front of the Mir Yeshiva . The Rav then asked Mr. A. how much it cost to buy one of the foals and be consi- dered its owner, responsible for its redemption and accredited with the mitzvah. (Ordinarily, many would pay a small sum to have a ‘partner- ship’ in the foals, and the mitzvah would be jointly performed by all those who had a share.) Mr. A. quoted a certain sum, and immediately, the Rav pulled out from his pocket the price quoted and handed it to him, acquiring full-Àedged ownership on the spot. On the day of the redemption, the Rav came attired in his festive clothing, in deference to the mitzvah. The crowd welcomed the Rav amidst joyous singing. The ceremony began, and the Cohen redeemed the donkey with a lamb, as the Torah speci¿es to do. (veryone was thrilled to partake in this rare mitzvah, and many were mover to tears. After the event, Rav Yosef Chaim asked the Rav, “Does any holiness linger over the donkey or get transferred to the sheep?” The Rav ans- wered, “They have no holiness. After the redemption, one can do with them whatever they want.” ³(very ¿rstborn donkey you shall redeem with a sheep” Adorning the donkey to beautify the mitzvah