Daily Pidyon

HOW CAN MONEY SUBSTITUTE FOR A SOUL?

Rebbe Nachman of Breslev reveals that a person’s soul and a person’s money stem from the same source. When a person gives of his money to charity, he is actually giving his soul. If some negative decree hovers over his soul, he has the power to atone for it by parting with his money. That is why commentaries suggest that a person give a Pidyon in an amount that feels as if he is literally giving his soul.

ARE THERE FAVORABLE TIMES TO PERFORM THE PIDYON?

Absolutely! These times are detailed in the books of the Mekubalim as times of heightened auspiciousness, for example, the time from midnight to dawn. But these times are less significant for the giver.

I HAVE HEARD OF A PIDYON FOR HEALTH. DOES IT HELP FOR OTHER AILMENTS?

Pidyon Nefesh is not reserved just for health or medical conditions. Pidyon Nefesh frees a person from all types of decrees—and not just the mystical and the hidden. All of a person's problems, troubles, torments, obstacles, and hardships originate from the decrees imposed on a person. To solve any suffering, you have to solve it at its point of origin. And these decrees are the source of all suffering.

WHAT IS DAILY PIDYON?

Daily Pidyon is an innovative idea based on one of Rebbe Nachman's teachings.

WHY EVERY DAY? ISN'T PIDYON NEFESH ONLY FOR TIMES OF SUFFERING?

This is precisely Rebbe Nachman's revelation: Pidyon Nefesh is not intended only for a time of distress but is beneficial all the time. In addition, no one knows what is hanging over his head, God forbid. Most of the troubles we experience have come upon us without warning. A person wakes up in the morning and does not know what surprises the day has in store for him.