A Bar Mitzvah is an extremely significant event in a Jewish boy’s life as he is now ethically and morally responsible for his own actions and decisions. The term ‘Bar Mitzvah’ translates to ‘Son of Commandment’, and refers to the religious ceremony that accompanies a boy becoming a Bar Mitzvah and officially entering the adult community. In past times the Bar Mitzvah was only for boys, however in more recent times girls have been allowed to take part in the ceremony which shows divergence from past times. For girls, the term ‘Bar Mitzvah’ translates to ‘Bat Mitzvah’, which means ‘Daughter of Commandment’. Bat Mitzvahs are celebrated when a girl is twelve years of age and take a slightly different form the boy’s ceremony. Several girls usually take part in a joint ceremony in the synagogue (Ingpen, 1995).
In a Bar Mitzvah ceremony, Jews believe that when a boy is thirteen he is old enough to understand and obey the Ten Commandments which God gave to Moses (Ingpen, 1995). He is recognised by Jewish tradition as being mature enough to make the transition into adulthood. A religious service is not essential for a boy to become a Bar Mitzvah, however in more recent times a greater emphasis has been put upon the ceremony as a rite of passage. In modern practice, the Bar Mitzvah ceremony requires much participation and preparation from the boy before he is eligible to undertake the ritual.
In a Bar Mitzvah ceremony, Jews believe that when a boy is thirteen he is old enough to understand and obey the Ten Commandments which God gave to Moses (Ingpen, 1995). He is recognised by Jewish tradition as being mature enough to make the transition into adulthood. A religious service is not essential for a boy to become a Bar Mitzvah, however in more recent times a greater emphasis has been put upon the ceremony as a rite of passage. In modern practice, the Bar Mitzvah ceremony requires much participation and preparation from the boy before he is eligible to undertake the ritual.
Watch Dr. Rachel Turkeinicz give an in depth explanation of a Bar Mitzvah ritual