Must a jew-by-choice who is a firstborn observe the fast of the firstborn

Question

I'm interested in the question of whether a ger who is firstborn (of both parents, say, to keep things simple) must follow the rules for Ta'anit B'khorot. There are some remarks on the wikipedia page, but they're quite terse and I'd be interested to hear more about the background and opinions of poskim on this issue.

Obviously, this is just an academic question and one should CYLOR if it applies directly.

Gershon Gold · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-04T17:45:34.790

18

The Nitei Gavriel Pesach 2 Chapter 43:9 brings in the name of the Shevet Halevi that since a convert is as if he is newly born there is a question whether he is still considered a Bechor. Therefore the Nitei Gavriel concludes that it is best that he should either make a Siyum or be part of a Seudas Mitzva.

edited Apr 04 '12 at 17:45

answered Apr 04 '12 at 17:01

Gershon Gold

139,471
12
231
553

1

It's the Shevet HaLevi (8:117), not Beis HaLevi. And the Shevet Halevi doesn't mention a siyum, rather he says that one should just snack but refrain from eating a full meal (יתענה מסעודה) – Curiouser Apr 04 '12 at 17:40
2

Moreover, the Shevet HaLevi's argument is predicated on the non-Jew being a biological first born, since were he in Egypt as a non-Jew he would have been killed, but had he converted back then, he would have been saved. But if the non-Jew were not a biological first born, then he never would have been subjected to the threat of death, so what sense would there be to fast? – Curiouser Apr 04 '12 at 21:49
If you read the Nitei Gavriel it is clearly talking about a convert who was a firstborn. Everyone would agree if the convert is not a firstborn there is no need for him to fast. – Gershon Gold Apr 05 '12 at 00:52
@GershonGold the only argument I could think of for this, though I found no support in the poskim, is that a ger is not considered related to his parents halachically and thus might be considered a "firstborn". – Lavie Apr 05 '23 at 07:53

yitznewton · Answer 2 · 2012-04-05T05:29:15.157

11

R Eliezer Dunner of Bene Brak told me, a ger firstborn, to fast. (The siyumim had already concluded.)

edited Apr 05 '12 at 05:29

answered Apr 04 '12 at 18:36

yitznewton

3,393
16
33

score 6 · Answer 3 · edited Apr 05 '12 at 21:12

6

Because of the safek discussed by the Shevet HaLevi, Rav Elyashiv shlit"a recommends "that these bechorim participate in a seudas mitzvah." (http://torah.org/advanced/weekly-halacha/5758/pesach.html; Harav Y.S. Elyashiv - Seder ha-Aruch, vol. 3, pg. 44).

edited Apr 05 '12 at 21:12

Isaac Moses

48,026
13
119
333

answered Apr 05 '12 at 21:01

Fred

16,984
1
45
85

3

Fred, welcome to Judaism.SE, and thanks very much for this source! Please consider registering your account, which will give you access to more of the site's features. – Isaac Moses Apr 05 '12 at 21:13

Must a jew-by-choice who is a firstborn observe the fast of the firstborn

3 Answers3