Great tale. Mazal tov. May the young lad grow to be a fine man in the house of Israel. And may your wonderful blessings rebound on the country so we all return to Gaza, Judea and Samaria as is our right and duty and as simply true as the brit mila.
Boy, does this hit home. Nearly two years ago, I was also asked to be a sandek at the birth of a grandson by my middle son (Ehud!). It too was a mostly sefardi ceremony as my son's wife is sefardi (as was the mohel) and most of the guests/relatives were from her side. Unfortunately, my son did not inform me a priori of the custom of the Sandek giving blessings after the brit. I was at a complete loss when guests came up to me afterwards asking for a blessing. I didn't have a clue. At least there wasn't a war going on that would make blessings for soldiers in battle even more pressing. I think I came up with some formula for a blessing but it escapes me now as I blotted out that embarassing memory. When my next son had a baby boy soon after I declined the Sandek offer before he asked (his wife is also Sefardi as was the Sandek). Not to worry, he already had a Sandek in mind beforehand; someone adept at blessings.
We should write a handbook for Ashkenazi Sandakim. Rule number one: Relax. Rule number two: OK, there is no way to relax so just accept that you are in a pressure-cooker for about an hour. etc. That's hilarious that we had similar experiences. Thanks for the comment.
Mazel Tov! May your new grandchild and all the House of Israel know freedom and peace forever and ever.
They should have had you write him up some blessings.
Great tale. Mazal tov. May the young lad grow to be a fine man in the house of Israel. And may your wonderful blessings rebound on the country so we all return to Gaza, Judea and Samaria as is our right and duty and as simply true as the brit mila.
I'm passing this on to the parents. Thank you Stephen!
🥲
Wonderful story. Thank you
I never heard of the sandak giving blessings. Wow. And mazel tov.
Gadol nachas!
Boy, does this hit home. Nearly two years ago, I was also asked to be a sandek at the birth of a grandson by my middle son (Ehud!). It too was a mostly sefardi ceremony as my son's wife is sefardi (as was the mohel) and most of the guests/relatives were from her side. Unfortunately, my son did not inform me a priori of the custom of the Sandek giving blessings after the brit. I was at a complete loss when guests came up to me afterwards asking for a blessing. I didn't have a clue. At least there wasn't a war going on that would make blessings for soldiers in battle even more pressing. I think I came up with some formula for a blessing but it escapes me now as I blotted out that embarassing memory. When my next son had a baby boy soon after I declined the Sandek offer before he asked (his wife is also Sefardi as was the Sandek). Not to worry, he already had a Sandek in mind beforehand; someone adept at blessings.
We should write a handbook for Ashkenazi Sandakim. Rule number one: Relax. Rule number two: OK, there is no way to relax so just accept that you are in a pressure-cooker for about an hour. etc. That's hilarious that we had similar experiences. Thanks for the comment.
wonderfully told.
Mazaltov.
Thank you, Ira.
I sent your Sandak story to a relative in Israel.
My sister. I'm sure she'll appreciate and enjoy it.
Thank you!
Beautiful. Big Mazel Tov from New York.
Thank you!