Bar/Bat Mitzvah

Question 1

how do Jews observe bar mitvah

Answer 1

• bar mitzvah is a ceremony that celebrates a boys coming of age
• the boy is accompanied by his father also present is the rabbi, men from the congregation and family members
• the boy is called to read from the Torah during a regular shabbat service
• this could be a whole scheduled reading including the traditional chant or part of it often recited from memory
• A tallit is worn for the first time in the synagogue and the boy may also lead the service or some prayers and say a speech beginning with ‘Today I am a man’
• the father will say a blessing over his son or say a speech thanking God for bringing his son to maturity and taking responsibilities over hos own actions

Question 2

where and when is bar mitzvah done

Answer 2

it is done on the shabbat that follows the boy’s 13th birthday at the synagogue or western wall

Question 3

Importances of Bar mitzvah

Answer 3

• it initiates a boy into manhood
• the boy gets to read the Torah for the first time and gets a sense of unity in the community as he is supported by men of the congregation
• he gets to wear his ritual dress for the first time
• the boy’s father is honoured to be apart of his son’s journey into manhood
• the boy gets to repent from his sin
• it is the fulfilment of Gods command
• being part of this ceremony strengthens the boys faith
• the boy publicly accepts the responsibilities that come with his new status and can now e apart of the minyan where he participates in public worship and some festivals

Question 4

what are the ages to be apart of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony

Answer 4

12 years for girls and 13 years for boys

Question 5

How is Bat mitzvah observed

Answer 5

• it is not marked as a religious ritual as women don’t play an active role in worship hence the ceremony takes place at home with family and is celebrated with a meal
• the girl is gifted with religious gifts such as a copy of the tenakh, a story book of powerful Jewish women and a beautifully decorated pushke
• the girl makes a speech about the awareness of what Bat mitzvah involves
• if the girl wants she could read from the Torah in the synagogue but only in the presence of women and not in the main prayer hall