Bar Mitzvah meaning "son of commandment" and Bat Mitzvah meaning "daughter of commandment" is a tradition of the Jewish people. This tradition marks the transition between a child and an adult. Around the ages of 13 (12 by girls) the children are required to study the commandments. By the time of their bar or bat mitzvahs, it is assumed that they are fully aware and obligated of the commandments. There is usually a ceremony celebrating the day but is not required and was unheard of in the past. On the Saturday, shortly after the child's 13th or 12th birthday, they are called up to the Torah to deliver a blessing for the weekly reading. Now, it is common to see some congregations where the child reads the entire weekly Torah blessings or lead the service and they are normally required to make a speech, usually starting with "today I am a man." Afterwards some rabbis makes it mandatory for his students to sign an agreement starting they promise to live in the new life they have taken in and what they learned throughout the process.
For more information go to http://www.jewfaq.org/barmitz.htm
For more information go to http://www.jewfaq.org/barmitz.htm
1 comment:
Awesome post. You described the rite well in your own words and had a great hot link for citation.
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