The term Bar Mitzvah means “son of the commandment.” It is the coming-of-age ceremony for a Jewish boy when he reaches the age of 13. From this point on, he is considered an adult in the Jewish community and is responsible for keeping the mitzvot (commandments).
What Happens at the Ceremony?
The Bar Mitzvah usually takes place during a regular synagogue service. The boy is called up to the Torah (called an aliyah) for the first time. He reads a portion of the Torah in Hebrew in front of the congregation.
For the first time, the boy also wears a tallit (the prayer shawl with fringes called tzitzit) to show his new responsibilities. He may lead part of the prayers or give a short talk on the Torah passage, known as a D’var Torah (“word of Torah”).
Family and Community Involvement
The boy’s father recites a blessing, thanking God for bringing his son to maturity and declaring that the son is now responsible for his own actions. The rabbi may also preach a sermon and bless the boy, sometimes using the priestly blessing: “The Lord bless thee and keep thee.”
It is traditional for sweets to be thrown after the Torah reading, symbolising the sweetness of studying God’s word.
Significance of Bar Mitzvah
After his Bar Mitzvah, the boy counts as part of a minyan, the group of ten Jewish men needed for certain prayers. This shows that he has become a full member of the religious community.
The ceremony marks the point at which a boy becomes an adult in the eyes of Jewish law, responsible for his own decisions and his relationship with God. It is both a religious and a family celebration, often followed by a party or festive meal.
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