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