What Are Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Ceremonies?
Under Jewish Law, children are not held accountable for keeping the biblical commandments until they come of age. However, when a boy turns 13 and a girl turns 12, the commandments become obligations. This milestone is often celebrated with a ceremony, called a Bar Mitzvah for boys and a Bat Mitzvah for girls.
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Purpose
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The phrase Bar Mitzvah is Aramaic for "son of commandment" while "Bat Mitzvah" is Aramaic for "daughter of commandment." These phrases describe Jewish young people who are now obligated to keep the commandments and are allowed to fully participate in Jewish religious life. Technically speaking, a person becomes a "Bar Mitzvah" or "Bat Mitzvah", but in common speech the terms have become synonymous with the ceremonies themselves.
The Ceremony
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In Judaism a portion of the Torah, a scroll containing the first five books of the Bible, is read aloud at synagogue, or house of worship, on every Sabbath. Every week, members of the congregation are honored by being asked to recite the blessing before the Torah reading. When a young person comes of age, they are typically honored in this way on the Sabbath following their birthday. However, this is not a requirement. A boy automatically becomes a "Bar Mitzvah" when he turns 13 and a girl automatically becomes a "Bat Mitzvah" when she turns 12. In many congregations, after giving the blessing, it is increasingly common for celebrants to also read the selection from the Prophets that typically follows the Torah reading. This is customarily followed by blessing by the celebrant's father. Orthodox and Chasidic women do not participate in the public reading of the Torah, so their "Bat Mitzvah" celebration is typically just a party.
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Reception and Gifts
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Many families celebrate the "Bar Mitzvah" and "Bat Mizvah" with a party or reception. According to the website Aish, the party should be kept simple so that the young person remembers the spiritual significance of the event. Customs vary, but one common aspect of the reception is a speech in which the celebrant relates some thoughts on the week's Torah reading or his commitment to Jewish values. Gifts are also common. Some appropriate gifts include a charity box in which the recipients can collect spare change for Jewish charities, a book on Jewish religion or customs, and even a small amount of money. Many people give money in multiples of 18. In Jewish numerology, 18 equals the Hebrew word "Chai," or "life."
Misconceptions
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Many non-Jews believe that the "Bar Mitzvah" and "Bat Mitzvah" mark a Jewish person's entry into adulthood. However, according to the website Judaism 101, they simply mean that a person is now accountable for their actions -- not that they are ready for marriage, work or other adult responsibilities. The collection of Jewish ethical teachings known as Pirkei Avot states that 13 is the age for fulfilling the Commandments, while 18 is the ideal age for marriage and 20 is the best age for earning a living. The collection of Biblical commentary called the Talmud states that the age for marriage is between 16 and 24.
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References
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