Halocho #746 - The Sandek only holds the baby once

The person who holds the baby during the Brit Mila is called a Sandek.

The custom is that the father never honors the same person twice with Sandeka'ut. (*)

On the other hand, the custom is to always use the same Mohel, if he is available.

Even if  it was assumed that the original Mohel would be out of town, and another Mohel was asked to officiate, the original Mohel has precedence, if he's back in town on time.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:1

(*) The reason  given is that being a Sandek is a Segula for prosperity, and we want to "spread the wealth". Similarly, each Cohen was only given one opportunity to bring the Ketoret (Incense) in the Bet Hamikdash, since it's a Segula for prosperity.

- Danny
Monday, 10 Adar-I 5771

Halocho #745 - Who knows eight?

When a newborn boy is 8 days old, his father has to ensure he gets a Brit Mila (circumcision).

So if a baby is born on Sunday, his Brit Mila is the following Sunday.

If the father cannot do the Brit Mila himself, he asks a Mohel (a Jewish expert at circumcision) to do it for him.

To show that he is appointing the Mohel to do his Mitzva, the father should put the baby on the Sandek's lap and hand the Mohel the knife.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:1

- Danny
Sunday, 9 Adar-I 5771