Sandak

The sandak is the person who holds the baby on his lap during the brit milah, the circumcision on the eighth day. The word is generally linked to a Greek term meaning “companion of the child,” though the etymology is debated. It is often translated as “godfather,” which is convenient but misleading: it is not a godparent role in the Christian sense, with a religious commitment toward the child. It is an honor, given to someone the family wants to include in this foundational moment.

1What the written tradition says

The Shulchan Arukh (Yoreh De’ah 265:11) mentions the custom of setting up a chair for Elijah, and the Rema then adds that people make a point of seeking out this mitzvah: being sandak means holding the child for the mohel. Quoting the Maharil, the Rema writes that the sandak’s role is considered greater than the mohel’s, to the point that the sandak is given priority for being called to the Torah reading, and that every sandak is likened to one who offers incense. The same passage mentions a custom of not assigning two children to the same sandak, by analogy with the incense service, where the duty went to someone new each time. If this point applies to you, ask your rabbi.

During the blessing, according to the Rema (Yoreh De’ah 265:1), the sandak stays seated while the mohel and the father stand. The Rema also records, in the same place, the wish that the child be brought into Torah, the chuppah, and good deeds just as he is brought into the covenant.

2Across communities

• In many families, Sephardic and Ashkenazi alike, the honor goes to a grandfather, sometimes to an uncle, a close family friend, or a respected rabbi. This is a widespread custom, not a rule.
• Among Ashkenazi families, the honor of carrying the baby to the sandak is often given to another couple, the kvatter and kvatterin (see the kvatter entry). In Sephardic or Mizrahi custom these honors are divided differently, sometimes between the sandak and a relative; we do not fix them.
• In many families the sandak is seated on Elijah’s chair: it is a custom, and not identical everywhere.
• In secular Israeli families the honor most often goes to a grandfather or a loved one, with no particular requirement: the rabbi or the mohel can say what tradition expects.

3What this means for an invitation

• The sandak does not have to be named on the invitation: it is an honor, not practical information. A ceremony program can list the name with a short explanation.
• Tell the person well ahead of time: they need to be able to sit comfortably and be available at the exact time of the brit.
• Do not write “godfather” without explaining it for guests unfamiliar with the term: a short note (“the person who holds the baby during the circumcision”) avoids misunderstandings.
• If you plan several honors (sandak, kvatter, readers of blessings), present them together in the program, without ranking the people.