HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info Learning & Values
 
Chabad.org » Learning & Values » Questions & Answers » Mitzvot & Jewish Customs » Are There Jewish Godparents?








PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
Comment7 Comments

Are There Jewish Godparents?

What is Judaism’s take on a godfather or godmother?

By Bronya Shaffer

Question:

My brother told me when his daughter was born that a godparent was not needed.Is that true?

Answer:

The concept of godparents is Christian in origin. Early in the history of the Church, specific individuals would be appointed to act as “sponsors” to vouch for a child's spiritual purity. The sponsor would be responsible for the spiritual development and religious education of the child—thus the term, “godparent.”

There is no such concept in Judaism. A child's parents are directly responsible for his or her spiritual education. The education of their child is their privilege and obligation. Just like a parent is responsible for the child's physical well-being—shelter, food, clothing—so is the parent responsible for the child's spiritual education.

Bronya Shaffer
For The Judaism Website – Chabad.org
PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
Comment7 Comments

By Bronya Shaffer   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Mrs. Bronya Shaffer is a noted globetrotting lecturer on Jewish women's issues, and serves as a personal counselor and mentor for women, couples and adolescents. Mrs. Shaffer, a responder for Chabad.org’s Ask the Rabbi service, lives with her ten children in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 

Reader Comments
Latest Comments:
Posted: Feb 14, 2012
my (sort of) godparents
While the term is not used in Judaism, my mother's best friend was present at my birth and she and her husband will be responsible for me in the event of the deaths of both my parents.
Posted By Anonymous

Posted: Jan 24, 2012
Kvater ?!
No, I'd say that kvater is totally unrelated to Godfather ... the honour during a brit milah is to the sandek. The one who holds the baby boy during the milah. Often a grandpa.
Posted By Gabe, SF, CA

Posted: May 28, 2011
Are there Jewish Godparents?
I was glad to see this question posted as I was contemplating about my own circumstance and would like to appoint Guradians over my children. Would the term Guardian be more befitting?
Posted By YH, UK

Posted: May 25, 2011
true
but the root of the term kvater in yiddish come for the word Gdfather
Posted By Anonymous, los angeles, ca

Posted: May 25, 2011
godparents
The only possibility would be that a parent would appoint a person to be responsible for the child in case of death. The talmud calls this person an aputropus.
He would take on responsibilities only when G-d forbid the parent would pass on.
Posted By Nosson, Beijing

Posted: May 25, 2011
There's more to it
In a time, when many people died young, there was a real risk of children becoming orphans. The godparents also promised to take care when needed. This used to be important, we are very lucky, that mostly it isn't any more.
Posted By Axel Berger, Odenthal-Heide, Deutschland

Posted: May 24, 2011
godfather
I believe that the yiddish term "kvatter" ( as at a bris) has its origins in the german term for godfather.
Posted By neil, ny



 


Mitzvot & Jewish Customs
How Do Jews Celebrate Birthdays?
What is the Origin of the Bar Mitzvah Celebration?
What's the significance of the Havdalah ceremony?
Why Does Judaism Forbid Tattoos?
Where is the Spark?
Animal Sacrifices?
What was the Holy Temple?
Are There Jewish Godparents?
Why Are the Holy Temple Vessels Not Replicated in Synagogues?
What Is the Significance of the Number of G‑d’s 613 Commandments?
Can I Cover My Head With a Kippah?
Why Do We Not Count Jews?
Why Pray for Bad Dreams to Be Transformed?
Is My Friend Sick Because He Sinned?
Why Do You Have So Many Jewish Books?
Full Index...
Showing 27 - 41 of 44
Follow Us:   Find Us On Facebook Follow Us on Twitter RSS Feeds

Chabad.org is a division of the Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center · Under the auspices of the Lubavitch World Headquarters
In everlasting memory of our founder, Rabbi Yosef Y. Kazen, pioneer of Torah, Judaism and Jewish information on the web
© 2001-2012 Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center