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The only difficulty Rabbi Tannenbaum finds with the Chatam Sofer is his statement that the sandak is ancillary. How is it possible that one who is merely ancillary – which in the case of milah would imply that the involvement is merely an act of hachanah (preparation) – can be compared to one who accomplishes the actual act of the mitzvah (and even takes precedence in the mitzvah)? However, Rabbi Tannenbaum notes, according to what we explained, that the sandak securing the infant’s feet is very integral to the mitzvah. He, therefore, expresses his joy at having come to the same conclusion as the Chatam Sofer – that the sandak is actually performing two mitzvot.
(To be continued)
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