Honors Given at a Bris

I will be happy to discuss with you the various honors that are given out at a Bris, and to whom it is most appropriate to give these various honors: 

Typically, a Bris will include these four honors:

  1.  Sandek
A man who holds the child on his lap during the Bris.  This is the biggest honor bestowed at the Bris, often reserved for a grandfather or great-grandfather.  Many have the custom to appoint a different Sandek for each new son in the family.  

  1. Kvatters (Godparents)
A man and women who bring the child to the Bris. The mother gives the child to the godmother. Then the godmother brings the child to the godfather who in turn brings him into the room where the Bris will take place.  

  1. Elijah’s Chair
A man who places the child on the chair that is set up next to the Sandek’s chair.  According the Jewish tradition, Elijah the prophet comes to every Bris.  Therefore, we reserve a seat in his honor. (Some people designate one man to place the baby on Elijah’s Chair, and a second man to lift him off the chair. Others have one person do both.)

  1. Blessings and Naming
 A man who recites the Hebrew Blessings recited after the Bris and the giving of the baby’s name and a prayer for his well-being. (Some people designate one man to recite the Blessings, and a second man to do the Naming. Others have one person do both.)

It is important that this be done by someone who is a fluent Hebrew reader.  There are a lot of uncommon words that an unfamiliar reader may stumble over.  Commonly this honor is given to the family's rabbi or the Mohel.   

  1. Standing Sandek(s)
A man to hold the baby during the Blessings recited after the Bris and the giving of the baby’s name. (Some people designate one man to hold the baby during the Blessings, and a second man to hold him during the Naming. Others have one person do both.)  

If desired, there are other honors that can be added. 
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(800) 83 MOHEL

Please feel free to call me for more information.

If the baby has already been born, call at any hour of the day or night.  If I can't take your call, it will go into voicemail.  Sabbath calls (beginning at sundown on Friday) should be delayed until an hour after sundown on Saturday.