Kvatterin
(Colloquially-Godmother)
Carries baby from mother to bris room and,
after the bris, back to mother. This is the one formal honor
bestowed upon a woman at a bris. Often, the Kvatterin and Kvatter
are a couple seeking to have a child,
as this honor is deemed propitious for this purpose.
In some communities baby is passed from woman to woman, each bringing him
closer to the bris room.
Kvatter
(Colloquially-
Godfather)
Carries baby from Kvatterin to bris area and, after the bris, back to the
Kvatterin. In some communities the baby is
passed from man to man, each bringing the baby closer to the bris area.
Throne
of Elijah
Places baby on the chair designated as Throne of
Elijah.
Some place great emphasis on this honor.
From
the Throne
Takes baby from the Throne of Elijah and gives him to
father who places him on sandak’s lap.
Sandak
Holds baby during bris. This is the highest honor at Bris,
the sandak is equated to a
kohen burning incense offering in
the Bies HaMikdash. Holds baby during bris. This is the highest honor at Bris,
the sandak is equated to a kohen burning incense offering in
the Bies HaMikdash. Many single out the
Rabbi or the Grandfather for this honor.
From
the sandak’s lap
Takes the baby from sandak at conclusion of the
circumcision and gives him to the standing sandak.
Standing
Sandak
Holds baby while blessings and prayer are recited,
during which baby is given his Hebrew name. Arizal considered
this an important honor.
Reader
of the blessings
Recites two blessings said following the bris. Recites two blessings said following the bris.
This
honor is often bestowed on a Rabbi, Mohel or Sandak.
Giving
the Name
Recites
Prayer during which baby is given his Hebrew name. This honor is often
bestowed on a Rabbi, Mohel or Sandak. This
honor is often combined with that of the blessings.
Leader
of
Birchas HaMazon
Recites the
invitation to the Grace after meal - following the festive meal; Recites Harachamon
prayers.
In some communities the Mohel is
accorded this honor. In others, a different person recites each Harachamon
prayer.
In
Summary
The
mother gives the child to the Kvatterin, who passes him to the Kvatter,
who then passes him to the person who will place him on
the Chair of Elijah. He is then taken from the chair and given to the
father, who places the child in the lap of the Sandek. The Mohel then
performs the Bris. Afterwards the child is taken from the Sandek's lap and given to the standing Sandek, the blessings are recited,
and the name is given. Then the child is returned to the mother
through the Kvatter and Kvatterin.
