CCAR RESPONSA
Contemporary American Reform Responsa
30. Role of a Godfather in the Circumcision
Ceremony
QUESTION: What is the role of the godfather in the
circumcision ceremony? Is it possible for a godfather to withdraw his consent for this act some
years later? (Rabbi J. Folkman, Columbus, OH) ANSWER: The primary role of
godfather is that of helping at the time of the circumcision. Among oriental Jews where a table
was not used for the circumcision, someone specially designated simply held the child upon his
knees. The Midrash (to Ps. 36.10) stated that each portion of the body was designated for
a mitzvah, and the knees were for holding a child during circumcision (Roqeah
108). This was the practice during the many centuries when the circumcision was held at home
and also subsequently when the ceremony was moved to the synagogue, which seems not to
have occurred before the ninth century in Persia, and probably reflected an imitation of the
Muslim custom to circumcise in the mosque. This custom was then followed by both rabbinic and
Karaite Jews (L. Löw, Die Lebensalter in der Jüdischen Literatur). From there
the custom was introduced to Europe and is mentioned in northern France in the eleventh
century and in Germany in the thirteenth. The Hebrew term used for godfather,
sandeq, is from the Greek and later Latin syndicus. (French,
comprère, German or Yiddish, gevatter, Spanish, padrino,
Hungarian, koma, Hebrew, baal berit). Various midrashim refer to the
sandeq, as did Or Zaruah Hil. Milah in the thirteenth century (for example,
Midrash to Gen. 18.1; Ps. 35.10; Neh. 9.8). The office was discussed by Isserles at length
in a note (Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 65.11). As the office is considered an
honor, the individual fulfilling it has to be of good character and pious. He, in turn, possesses
certain rights, as that of being called to the Torah on the day of the circumcision if it fell
on the day when the Torah is read (Maharil 84a). He, of course, sits in the special
chair provided in many synagogues if the circumcision is customarily held there. It
seems that the sandeq was also responsible for certain financial contributions to the
festivities of the circumcision. Usually the meal connected with it was prepared at his expense. In
order to prevent this from becoming an unusual burden, the Tosafists, Peretz De Corbeil and
Judah, the Pious, stated that an individual was only permitted to serve in this capacity once
(Maharil Hil. Milah). Ezekiel Landau (1713-1793) disagreed with this and stated that the
same individual could be asked a number of times. He also reported that in Poland in his time
the rabbi was often appointed as the permanent sandeq and participated in this fashion in
each berit (Nodah Biy’hudah, Vol. I #86). Moses Sofer rejected Landau’s
interpretation and cited astrological reasons for having a sandeq officiate only once in this
role (Hatam Sofer, Orah Hayim #158, 159.) Various opinions were cited by Elijah Gaon
(Beer Hagrah to Yoreh Deah 265). It is possible for women to participate in this
role, although Isserles suggested that this not be done (Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah
265.11). Women participated among German Jews, while other Jewish communities
discouraged it. Christians also have assisted in this fashion, as for example, in 1484 in
Castrogiovanni, Sicily (L. Zunz, Zur Geschichte und Literatur, p. 499). Several medieval
councils tried to prohibit such Christian participation (Council of Terracinana in 1330). Similar
prohibitive statements are found in Protestant ordinances. In modern times, the role of
sandeq and godfather has sometimes been separated, but there is no basis for this in the
earlier tradition. In all the traditional material there is no discussion whatsoever of any additional
responsibility on the part of the sandeq beyond the circumcision. In other words, his
privileges and his responsibilities end with the ceremony. Therefore, it would not be possible for
the individual to withdraw his participation at a later time.July 1978
If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.