Jewish children study for a number of years before they are ready to take an adult place in the community (Ingpen, 1995). The child will work with a Rabbi or Cantor for months, even years, preparing for the event and studying the sacred texts, rituals and synagogues that coincide with the ritual. They are also taught Hebrew, the language of Jews (Ingpen, 1995). A Bar Mitzvah ceremony is held in the synagogue on the first Sunday following the child’s thirteenth birthday. At the synagogue service, the boy is entitled to read sacred scriptures and to publicly recite the Torah, speak the blessings, and recite portions from the Prophets. A boy that is well trained may additionally be invited to recite an original prayer or to give an explanation of some Biblical or Talmudic subject.
Bar Mitzvahs come in different variations, each variation having its own focus (John, 2014). There are three different structures of Bar Mitzvah rituals which show divergence from one another. The first is congregational; where a student symbolically reveals Jewish life skills by reciting the Torah script and offering an inspiring interpretation of the weekly Torah section during a religious service (Milgram, n.d.). The second is independent, which is a more popular option in recent times as the ceremony is undertaken independently without the conjunction of an existing Jewish organisation or institution. The final form is cultural or planning based which relates to communities that prefer a cultural rather than religious based Bar Mitzvah. The student will offer a presentation demonstrating their depth of knowledge and Jewish learning.
The basic sequence of a Bar Mitzvah ritual includes learning, planning, personal preparation, performing and celebration. Learning involves studying with the Rabbi or Cantor, and studying Jewish values, culture, texts, religious traditions and the basic history of Judaism. Planning refers to organising the ceremony that will have an emotionally satisfying and intellectually expanding effect for the initiate and those in attendance. Personal preparation involves the student developing a meaningful teaching regarding a Torah portion that corresponds to the date of the rite, or an aspect of life that proves significant to the student. The student must prepare a religious or cultural element to incorporate in the service to lead the community. The ceremony is then performed and is usually followed by a festive meal or party. (Milgram, n.d.).
Bar Mitzvahs come in different variations, each variation having its own focus (John, 2014). There are three different structures of Bar Mitzvah rituals which show divergence from one another. The first is congregational; where a student symbolically reveals Jewish life skills by reciting the Torah script and offering an inspiring interpretation of the weekly Torah section during a religious service (Milgram, n.d.). The second is independent, which is a more popular option in recent times as the ceremony is undertaken independently without the conjunction of an existing Jewish organisation or institution. The final form is cultural or planning based which relates to communities that prefer a cultural rather than religious based Bar Mitzvah. The student will offer a presentation demonstrating their depth of knowledge and Jewish learning.
The basic sequence of a Bar Mitzvah ritual includes learning, planning, personal preparation, performing and celebration. Learning involves studying with the Rabbi or Cantor, and studying Jewish values, culture, texts, religious traditions and the basic history of Judaism. Planning refers to organising the ceremony that will have an emotionally satisfying and intellectually expanding effect for the initiate and those in attendance. Personal preparation involves the student developing a meaningful teaching regarding a Torah portion that corresponds to the date of the rite, or an aspect of life that proves significant to the student. The student must prepare a religious or cultural element to incorporate in the service to lead the community. The ceremony is then performed and is usually followed by a festive meal or party. (Milgram, n.d.).
Watch an extract from a real life Jewish Bar Mitzvah, followed by a celebratory party.