Question
What is the role of the sandek at the bris milah beyond just holding the baby? What spiritual role does he play? Does the honor give him the ability to bestow Blessings?
Answer
The honor of being sandek places the person on par with an altar that a sacrifice has been brought upon. It is the customary belief, in Hassidic and Sefardic communities, that the sandek is particularly suited to give blessings to other people on that day.