Bar/Bat
Mitzvah to ranslated literally, means "son" (bar)
or "daughter" (bat) "of the Commandments, it
is a crossover from childhood to adulthood; a highlight in
a Jewish life.
According
to Jewish law, a boy is viewed as a "Bar Mitzvah"
when he turns 13 yeas of age, and a girl becomes a "Bat
Mitzvah" when she turns 12 yeas of age. They subsequently
achieve the status of adulthood. Girls achieve the status
of adulthood a year earlier than boys because girls typically
mature physically and emotionally earlier than boys, ready
to embrace the responsibility adulthood entails. At this auspicious
time they become full-fledged Jewish adult and are presented
with both the opportunity to grow spiritually and the responsibility
to become a better person.
Children
begin for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah by going to Hebrew/Religious
school some years before they actually turn Bar/Bat Mitzvah
age. In fact, some children begin attending afternoon religious
school from the time they enter kindergarten. The purpose
of going to religious school is to learn about Jewish customs,
holidays, history, and the Hebrew language.
Under
Jewish Law, children are not obligated to observe the commandments,
although they are encouraged to do so as much as possible
to learn the obligations they will have as an adults. For
example before children are Bar/Bat Mitzvah, they do not need
to fast on Yom Kippur. However after bar/bat mitzvah, they
are required to fulfill this mitzvah. At bar/bat mitzvah they
are also counted in the minyan, a quorum of ten required to
conduct a service. When boys and girls become bar and bat
mitzvah, they reach a new stage of development in their lives
and start thinking about the kind of people they want to be.
When
the children automatically reach the Bar/Bat Bar Mitzvah age.
No ceremony is needed to confer these rights and obligations.
The popular bar mitzvah ceremony is not required, and does
not fulfill any commandment. It is a relatively modern innovation.
On
a deeper level, just as their bodies are growing and changing
in a new way, so too their souls are growing and changing.
The Kabbalistic tradition tells us that a person's spiritual
being has several levels of soul. A new level of soul called
neshamah comes into awareness at bar or bat mitzvah time.
This level is what gives a person the ability to make conscious,
rational decisions.
THE
CELEBRATION
The
Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony usually takes place on the
first Shabbat after the appropriate birthday. At the
synagogue the youngster is called to celebrant's an
Aliyah
(A blessing over the Torah). Some youngster recite the
Haftora, some read the Torah portion and some lead part
of the service. Most likely would need some practice
in advance with a cantor or scholar experienced in reading
the Torah.
After services or during the birthday night a Bar/Bat
Mitzvahs are typically celebrated with a festive meal,
with the family and friends of the Bar Mitzvah boy or
Bat Mitzvah girl on hand to celebrate their entrance
into adulthood. |
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The
meal is often accompanied by speeches from friends and relatives
who encourage the bar or bat mitzvah to undertake their new
role as a Jewish adult with joy, and to strive to add spirituality
to their lives. As well traditionally the celebrator at his/her
speech begins with the phrase "today I am an adult."
And the father recites a blessing thanking God for removing
the burden of being responsible for his childs sins.
