Firstborns / Status

Shalom shalom I have 2 questions? 1- I am the first born of my parents does that make me special in Gods eyes? I’m also female? 2- I am Ashkanasi Jew the last of my blood line from my mother and my father I have no children does that make me special in Gods eyes?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question!

To answer your first question, yes.

Firstborns do have a special status, a type of added holiness, in Judaism. This is especially true with regards to firstborn males. To illustrate: the privilege of running the Temple was originally assigned to the firstborn. It was only later that it was transfers to the Kohanim (the priests) due to the firstborn having participated in the sin of the Golden Calf.

So too, the Torah awards firstborn sons a double portion of their father’s inheritance. (though nowadays arrangements can be made for a father to divide his inheritance equally among all his children)

There are a number of interpretations as to why the Torah gave status to the firstborn. One theory is that a firstborn son would be the most responsible for the family especially after the father’s passing.

Furthermore, in general, the Torah puts an emphasis on everything “first.” For example, the first fruits, the firstborn animals, redemption of the firstborn son, and more. God even calls the Jewish peple His “firstborn” to convey “favorite.” As such, the Torah inherently gives status to “firsts.” It is also suggested that the advanced status of the firstborn is a “reward” for turning his parents into parents!

But truth be told, female firstborns do not have this status as females “marry out” and will not be responsible for their immediate family once they are married. So too, the Temple service was only intended to be run by males. Instead, women have a different, equally special role in Judaism which is most dominant inside the home.

Regarding your second question (also related to your first): all Jews are special! Ashkenazim, Sefardim, firstborn, tenthborn, and all the rest.