Sandek

A sandek or sandak (Hebrew: סנדק "companion of child", from Koine Greek: σύντεκνος) is a person honored at a brit milah in Judaism, traditionally either by holding the baby boy on the knees or thighs when the mohel performs the circumcision or by handing the baby to the mohel.

In Modern Hebrew, sandak is also the word for godfather; the film The Godfather is known in Hebrew as HaSandak. The role is distinct from that of the kvater, a Yiddish term for the person who carries the baby in Ashkenazi ceremonies.

Etymology

The origin of the term has been attributed to a derivation from the Greek sunteknos (syn-, meaning "plus", and tekno, meaning "child"), which means "companion of child". Alternatively, it may be derived from Greek σύνδικος (Latin, "syndicus"), in the sense of "representative," "patron," "advocate."

History

A number of references in midrashim and other early rabbinical works testify to the existence of the sandek in the Talmudic age. In medieval rabbinical literature the references to the office are numerous, and it appears to have been well established and highly esteemed. Thus the "Haggahot Maimuniyyot" mentions that many "covet and eagerly desire to hold the child upon their knees as it is circumcised."

In medieval times the sandek was known by many other names as well, including "ba'al berit" (master of the covenant), "ba'al berit ha-milah" (master of the covenant of circumcision), "tofes ha-yeled" (holder of the child), "av sheni" (second father), and "shaliach" (messenger). The office was surrounded with marks of honor. A special seat, usually richly decorated, was prepared in the synagogue for the sandik, and if the circumcision happened on a day of Torah reading, he was entitled to receive an aliyah. The privilege was reserved for persons of standing and of good moral and religious character.