Bar Mitzvah - Bat Mitzvah
A Jewish Rite of Passage
Aramaic for "son" - bar, and "daughter" - bat, and "commandment" - mitzvah, thus translated as "son of the commandment" and "daughter of the commandment."
Under Jewish law, children are not obligated to observe the commandments, the 613 Rabbinic Laws, though encouraged to do so. But once they reach adulthood, for girls at 12 and boys at 13, they are obligated.
Ritual:
a. held shortly after a girls 12th or a boys 13th birthday during a Shabbat service.
b. celebrant recites and chants weekly reading from Torah
c. celebrant makes a speech, which begins with phrase "today I am a man or woman . . . . ," that tells of taking responsibility for community and of undertaking specific goals in life
d. father recites a blessing thinking Yahweh for removing the burden of being responsible for the son's or daughter's sins
e. all followed by an elaborate reception
Transitions:
a. publicly marks social transition from childhood to adulthood, overtly in manner of dress, as well as internally shifts one's identity of self
b. takes on adult responsibilities, including:
- publicly reading, teaching and interpreting the Torah
- observing the 613 Rabbinic Laws
- taking active role in religious services
- able to enter into and form binding contracts
- able to testify in religious courts
- able to marry
- able to care for and contribute to the well-fare of the community