Sandak
A Sandak or Sandaq , also Sandek ( Hebrew סנדק Godfather; Companion of a child ) is the person who holds the boy on their knees or thighs during the Jewish circumcision ceremony and holds him on a pillow to the mohel for circumcision. It is an honorary position that is reserved for men in Orthodox Judaism . In liberal Judaism , women or non-Jews can also officiate as Sandak. According to some sources, the Sandak is considered a representative of the prophet Elias .
The word comes from the Sefer Aruch , a dictionary by Nathan ben Jechiel from the 11th century, from the ancient Greek σύνδικος, administrator of a matter, from which the German word Syndikus is derived. According to another explanation, the word is derived from the Greek σύντεκνος Synteknos "companion of the child".
Individual evidence
- ↑ Orientation ( Memento of the original dated November 8, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia
See also
Web links
- Fred R. Kogen: Defining Sandek (English)
- Daily Halacha (Orthodox Sephardic Rite)