Bat and Bat Mitzvah

Every Jewish child will begin their religious education at an early age. One reason for this is to introduce them to the Mitzvah (commandments) that outline the duties and responsibilities when they becomes an adult. There are differences again between the ceremonies for boys and girls.

Boys

A Jewish boy is considered to be an adult when he reaches his 13th birthday. The occasion is marked by him becoming a Bar mitzvah (son of the commandments). The ceremony of the Bar Mitzvah is a very important occasion for the young Jewish male. During the ceremony, which is normally held on the first Shabbat after his 13th birthday, several important places take place:

The boy is called forward, for the first time to read, in Hebrew, from the Torah scroll. Since only adult males (in the Orthodox community) are allowed to read from the Torah. This is a public announcement that the boy has come of age.

The boy will receive his father's blessing. The father thanks God that he has now been freed from responsibility for the boy's sins and rejoices that his son is now a man.

The parents will arrange a meal (the Seudah) for all the boy's family and friends after the ceremony at which the boy will deliver a sermon of thanks. Gifts will be given to the boy at this time by his family and friends.

What does the Bar Mitzvah mean ?

There are three main reasons why the Bar Mitzvah is so important for every Jewish male:

• The boy who has come of age is given the full religious responsibilities of the adult male. He is allowed to wear the ritual clothes the Tallit and the Tefillin, he can make up the minimum 10 males who must be present for a service to take place (the minyan), and he can take part fully in the worship in the synagogue.
• At any time in the future he can be called upon to read from the Torah. All Jews consider this to be a great privilege.
• In many synagogues this is seen as a serious statement of faith by the young adult. They acknowledge their faith and acknowledge that the responsibility for their spiritual life now passes from their parents to them.

Girls In orthodox communities the Jewish girl, at about 12, has a service of Bat Chayil (daughter of valour). She will be allowed to read in the synagogue but not from the Torah, only from the prophets and the writings (see section 24). In reform communities boys and girls are seen as equal and the girls take part in a ceremony called Bat Mitzvah (daughter of the commandments) which is the same as the boys' ceremony.

For more details read "Judaism" (Ayre Forta) - Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Bat Chayil, Initiation

Important words

• Mitzvah - The commandments that make up the Jewish laws, there are 613 of them !
• Tallit - The prayer shawl, which has 613 fringes to represent the Mitzvah.
• Tefillin - Small leather boxes with pieces of scripture worn on the head and near the heart.
• Minyan - In order for a service to take place there must be 10 adult males present, this is a minyan.
• Torah - The first 5 books of scripture know as the books of Moses or the Law.
• Orthodox - Keeping to the old traditions, sticking to the word of the Law.
• Reform - Changing with the times, sticking to the spirit of the Law.