Honoring Father to be the Sandak and Naming after Him

Naming a Baby

Question

I want to honor my father to be the sandak and name my baby after him. The name is Nissim. Does the Rabbi recommend it?

Answer

Dear…!
The name Nissim is an excellent name, especially when it involves honoring the father. [Ashkenazim have a custom not to name after a living father, but Sephardim hold it in high regard]. However, this is on the condition that the wife agrees and desires it. [If the wife has a negative feeling about the name, even if it seems illogical, this is a small prophecy that the name is not suitable for this child]. There is great merit in honoring the father with being a sandak, and may you merit to bring you baby into the covenant of our forefather Abraham in his proper time. Through the fulfillment of this commandment, along with the commandment of honoring the father, may you raise him to Torah, marriage, good deeds, and derive much joy from him.

Source

Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De'ah, Ch. 240).

Comments

Have an additional question on this topic or need clarification? Leave your comment below. (Please note that the comment will not be published but will be sent directly to the answering Rabbi for review and a private response)

Please sign up or log in to submit your comment

Become our partners in supporting and spreading the Torah. Help us answer more questions faster and better.