what happens at a bar bat mitzvah ceremony

A Bar or Bat Mitzvah

is a coming of age ceremony for Jewish boys and girls when they reach the age of 12 or 13. This ceremony marks the time when a boy or girl becomes a Jewish adult. This means that they are now responsible for their own actions and can decide for themselves how they would like to practice Judaism.

Full Answer

What are the traditions of Bat Mitzvah?

“In Jewish culture, a bar/bat mitzvah is the occasion to take responsibility for oneself and to take responsibility for 'tikkun olam' (repairing the world), contributing to your community,” said Fischer, of Boca Raton.

Why is a bar mitzvah so important?

Why Is a Bar Mitzvah Important to the Jews?

1. Becoming a Man. In Jewish law, boys are no longer considered children when they reach 13, and must start fulfilling commandments of the Torah, known as "mitzvahs."
2. Learning. Learning about Judaism and the Torah are central in preparing for a Bar Mitzvah. ...
3. Community. ...
4. Celebrations. ...

What should I wear to a bar mitzvah?

What To Wear To A Bat Mitzvah – An Insider’s Guide

• As someone who has attended more than my fair share of bar and bat mitzvahs, I’ve learned the hard way how to dress for a bat mitzvah. ...
• Don’t wear a white dress. ...
• Respect the dress code, if one is listed. ...
• Dressing for Jewish holidays or wearing Jewish symbols or anything blue is never a bad idea for a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah celebration. ...

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What does it mean to "become a bat mitzvah?

What Does Becoming A Bar Mitzvah Mean? The bar or bat mitzvah symbolizes a child's maturing in Judaism. In the eyes of those of the faith as well as those who subscribe to them, Jewish men in the age group of 13 become a bar mitzvah, the "son of the commandments," and are subject to intense scrutiny for their actions.

What happens during a bar and bat mitzvah?

Bar Mitzvah ceremony The rabbi gives a talk, speaking to both the boy and his family and to the rest of the community. The boy might also give a talk to the people gathered. It is traditional for the boy's father to recite a prayer of thanks to God for bringing his son to maturity.

What happens at a Bat Mitzvah party?

They are traditionally been very large and elaborate parties attended by the friends and family of the child who is celebrating their bar mitzvah. The reception is usually held at a large event space that can accommodate all the guests. It's a time to eat, drink, dance, celebrate and socialize.

What is the order of events at a Bat Mitzvah?

1:15 p.m. Bar or Bat Mitzvah Child announced into room. Hora and a few dances. 1:30 p.m....Day of Event Timelines.6:00 p.m.Family arrives and takes pictures.9:00 p.m.Hora.9:15 p.m.Dinner served.9:30 p.m.Kids on the dance floor. Adults join when done eating. Father/Daughter or Mother/Son Dance.10:15 p.m.Sweet table opens.7 more rows•Oct 15, 2015

What is the process of a bar mitzvah?

Before his 13th birthday, a Jewish boy will attend lessons, usually at the synagogue, in Hebrew and in how to read the Torah aloud. On the Sabbath nearest to his 13th birthday, the boy will become Bar Mitzvah . During the Sabbath service, the boy will read aloud part of the Torah or a section of the Prophets.

What should you not wear to a bar mitzvah?

Men are typically expected to wear a suit or slacks and a tie. Women should wear a modest dress or formal pantsuit. Avoid anything that shows a lot cleavage or leg. Bare shoulders should be covered with a shawl or bolero jacket.

Is alcohol served at bar mitzvahs?

A Bar Mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony for Jewish men when they reach the age of 13. Like many celebratory Jewish events and rituals, alcohol is part of the Bar Mitzvah and is even considered to be a gift of joy.

Who lights candles at a bar mitzvah?

The final candle is lit by the bar/bat mitzvah boy or girl to make a special wish. One candle should be reserved for the friends of the bar or mitzvah.

What kind of food is served at a bar mitzvah?

Popular items include a mirrored display of lox, whitefish, kippered salmon, pickled herring and gefilte fish; a salad of baby Bibb lettuce with fresh herb/champagne vinaigrette; and entree choices such as filet of salmon or sliced Chateaubriand with bordelaise sauce.

How long is a Bat Mitzvah service?

The length of service will ultimately depend on the movement of Judaism that the family practices. Reform Bar and Bat Mitzvah services will run about 90 minutes to two hours. Orthodox services are roughly similar.

How much money do you give a girl for her bat mitzvah?

For a teen who's attending a peer's bar or bat mitzvah, $36, $54 or $78 are all pretty standard bar mitzvah gift amounts. Exactly how much a young person decides to give will generally reflect their financial means and how close they are to the guest of honor.

How much money do you give for bar mitzvah?

In general, for bar mitzvah gifting, take the amount you normally spend on a birthday present, give 1.5 times, and then round it in multiples of 18. If you normally give $100, you can give for a bar mitzvah $150, but considering the multiples of eighteen, you can give either $144 or $162.

What do you give someone for their bar mitzvah?

10 Bar and Bat Mitzvah Gift IdeasCash. Similar to a wedding, cash is often a welcomed gift whether you can accept or need to decline your Bar or Bat Mitzvah invitation. ... Gift Cards. ... Judaica. ... Educational Books. ... Charitable Donations. ... Personalized Gifts. ... Jewish Cookbook. ... Jewelry.More items...

What should a guest wear to a Bat Mitzvah party?

Generally, dress for the party is semiformal or formal. Men and boys wear suits or dark jackets and slacks, or black tie attire. Girls and ladies wear cocktail attire, or long skirts or dresses.

How much money do you give for a Bat Mitzvah?

For a teen who's attending a peer's bar or bat mitzvah, $36, $54 or $78 are all pretty standard bar mitzvah gift amounts. Exactly how much a young person decides to give will generally reflect their financial means and how close they are to the guest of honor.

What is a typical Bat Mitzvah gift?

Choosing a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Present Traditional Bar Mitzvah gifts often include a ritually significant amount of money, educational books, Jewish ritual items or a cookbook that celebrates Jewish cooking.

How long is a Bat Mitzvah service?

The length of service will ultimately depend on the movement of Judaism that the family practices. Reform Bar and Bat Mitzvah services will run about 90 minutes to two hours. Orthodox services are roughly similar.

What to expect at a bar mitzvah party?

Ultimately, it is up to the bar mitzvah boy or the bat mitzvah girl what they want to serve on their big day. Guests can usually expect there to be cake on the menu—it is a birthday party after all—and the cake is often part of the candle lighting ritual.

What is a bar mitzvah?

A bar/bat mitzvah is a rite of passage to celebrate a Jewish boy or girl entering adulthood. This milestone represents the beginning of their journey to follow Jewish law in the religious community. This is typically held around the boy’s thirteenth birthday and the girl’s twelfth or thirteenth birthday after two to three years ...

Why do men wear yarmulkes at bat mitzvah?

These are the traditional caps worn to show respect for the bar mitzvah boy, the religion, and God. Photo: Lindsay’s bat mitzvah captured by Michael Jurick Photography.

What is a bar mitzvah girl called?

The bar mitzvah boy or bat mitzvah girl is called up to the Torah to recite prayers and readings in Hebrew, which have taken years of learning, studying, and practicing during their bar/bat mitzvah lessons. After reading from the Torah, they share a special speech about how they will apply these lessons in their everyday life.

Why is a bar mitzvah card important?

This is an important milestone because your loved one is no longer a child, but turning into an adult. We suggest offering life advice, writing about a memory together, or just share your congratulations for the dedication and hard work they have put forth throughout their childhood.

What is the Jewish tradition of the evening?

This is a song and dance where the guests of honor (the child followed by their parents) each take a turn sitting in a chair and being raised in the air by their guests with surrounding guests holding hands and dancing in circles. A hora will energize the crowd and last about fifteen minutes.

What happens after reading the Torah?

After reading from the Torah, they share a special speech about how they will apply these lessons in their everyday life. Once the religious ceremony and the necessary steps are complete, the boy or girl is now considered an adult in the eyes of the Jewish Community.

Where are bar and bat mitzvahs held?

Bar and bat mitzvah parties among wealthy Jewish families in North America are often lavish affairs held at hotels and country clubs with hundreds of guests. The trend has been mocked, most notably in the movie Keeping Up with the Steins. In the 1950s, Rabbi Harold Saperstein of New York described them as too often being "more bar than mitzvah". Rabbi Shmuley Boteach says that over-the-top bar mitzvah parties were already common when he was growing up in Miami in the 1970s.

What is the Jewish law of bat mitzvah?

According to Jewish law, before children reach a certain age, the parents are responsible for their child's actions. Once Jewish children reach that age, they are said to “become” a bar or bat mitzvah, at which point they begin to be held accountable for their own actions.

What age do you become a bat mitzvah?

All Jewish boys, and Reform Jewish girls, become bar or bat mitzvahs at age 13, whereas Orthodox and Conservative Jewish girls become bat mitzvahs at age 12. After this point, children are also held responsible for knowing Jewish ritual law, tradition, and ethics, and are able to participate in all areas of Jewish community life to the same extent as adults. (In some Jewish communities, men’s and women’s roles differ in certain respects. For example, in Orthodox Judaism, once a boy turns 13, it is permitted to count him for the purpose of determining whether there is a prayer quorum, and he may lead prayer and other religious services in the family and the community.)

Why did the B'nai Mitzvah Revolution happen?

In 2012, concern about the high post-bar/bat mitzvah drop out rate led the Union for Reform Judaism to launch the B'nai Mitzvah Revolution, an effort to shift Reform congregations away from "the long-held assumption that religious school is about preparing kids for their bar/bat mitzvah" and focus instead on teaching them how to become committed and involved members of the Jewish community.

What does the word "bar" mean in Hebrew?

Bar ( בַּר ‎) is a Jewish Babylonian Aramaic word meaning "son" ( בֵּן ‎, ben in Hebrew), while bat ( בַּת ‎) means "daughter " in Hebrew, and mitzvah ( מִצְוָה ‎) means "commandment" or "law" (plural: mitzvot ). Thus bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah literally translate to "son of commandment" and "daughter of commandment". However, in rabbinical usage, the word bar means "under the category of" or "subject to". Bar mitzvah therefore translates to " [one] who is subject to the law". Although the term is commonly used to refer to the ritual itself, the phrase originally refers to the person.

When do you put on tefillin for a bar mitzvah?

The common custom is for the bar mitzvah boy to begin putting on tefillin one to three months before his bar mitzvah.

When was the bar mitzvah invented?

Many sources indicate that the ceremonial observation of a bar mitzvah developed in the Middle Ages.

What is the bar mitzvah?

The bar mitzvah ceremony celebrates a Jewish boy’s 13th birthday (on the Hebrew calendar) and his elevation to adult status in Judaism. This celebration can take many forms.

What is the dance called at a bar mitzvah?

If the bar mitzvah is not on Shabbat, there may be music at the reception. Traditional Jewish dances feature circles of dancers, often following a dance-step called the “hora.” Traditionally, men and women dance separately. If you’ve never experienced this kind of dancing before, you may be pleasantly surprised by the innocent and pure joy that it elicits.

What Will Be Served?

There is no traditional fare for bar mitzvahs. However, you can expect that the spread will contain either meat or dairy, but not both, since kosher dietary laws forbid the mixing of milk and meat. So if the menu contains meat, don’t expect to have milk for your coffee.

When is the Torah read at a bar mitzvah?

If the bar mitzvah celebration is on Monday, Thursday or Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the Jewish month), the Torah will be read as part of the service, like on Shabbat, and the celebrant will probably either read from the Torah scroll or be called to make blessings over the Torah.

Does a bar mitzvah reception include prayers?

A reception will typically not include formal prayers. Instead you can expect to hear the bar mitzvah celebrant, his parents and others share words of inspiration on the significance of the milestone, while you munch on tasty food. Note that these are just some of the more common bar mitzvah formats.

Do you dance in the sanctuary?

Yes, chances are there will be dancing. It is fairly common for the celebrant to be danced around the bimah (table from which the Torah is read) inside the sanctuary. The dancers may join hands to form a big circle, or just bounce around in a loose ring. You don’t need to dance if you don’t want to, but it can be fun, and no one expects you to know any fancy dance steps.

Who is Rabbi Menachem Posner?

Rabbi Menachem Posner serves as staff editor at Chabad.org, the world’s largest Jewish informational website. He has been writing, researching, and editing for Chabad.org since 2006, when he received his rabbinic degree from Central Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch. He resides in Chicago, Ill., with his family.

Bat Mitzvah vs Bar Mitzvah

What happens at a Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah? Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs are religious ceremonies performed for Jewish boys and girls when they come of age. For over 3,000 years, this ceremony has been practiced according to Judaism’s original traditions to initiate young ones into adulthood.

Bar Mitzvah in a Synagogue

Let’s dive into what happens at a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah service to better understand what follows. Performing a Bar or Bat Mitzvah in a synagogue is preferred since it elevates the religious experience for the child, family, and community.

What Happens at a Bar Mitzvah Service?

Now that we know the relevance of these ceremonies, let’s find out what happens at a Bar Mitzvah party. A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is usually celebrated during the Shabbat (Saturday) morning services following a child’s Jewish birthday, which involves reading and chanting from the Torah.

Hosting an Outdoor Bar or Bat Mitzvah Celebration

Celebrating a Bar or Bat Mitzvah outdoors has its advantages. It’s a way of hosting a budget-friendly Jewish party that is convenient for guests. Indoor facilities may fail to meet hygiene requirements, lack comfortable amenities, and can limit the number of guests.

Why Choose VIP To Go?

Porta potties are perfect for small or large event gatherings. Our team ensures that our movable facilities are well-maintained and equipped with everything you and your guests need for a comfortable, hassle-free experience.

Can I Rent VIP To Go Porta Potties or Restroom Trailers for a Day?

VIP To Go focuses on long-term leases, however, we also accommodate shorter rentals for events like Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

What Provisions Should the Venue Have To Accommodate Your Outdoor Restroom Trailers?

Bathroom rental services typically require various provisions so that a portable restroom trailer with running water and electricity can be set up. These can include electrical outlets, a water supply you can connect it to, and more.

What is a Standard or Bat Mitzvah?

A bar mitzvah is a celebration of a Jewish boy’s entry into adulthood when he is called to read from the Torah for the first time, usually at 13 years old (according to the Hebrew calendar). A bat mitzvah is the same type of celebration but focuses on a young girl’s journey into adulthood.

What Happens During the Service?

Usually, the bar or bat mitzvah service occurs during Shabbat morning services or during the Havdalah service at sundown on Saturday. The young man or woman will chant a passage from the Torah, one they have practiced often for many months. After morning service, guests might enjoy a “Kiddush’ or festive reception in the social hall.

What Happens After the Service?

Let the celebrations begin; this is where our mitzvah planning efforts are on full display! The reception will include food, dancing, and the mitzvah boy or girl’s commitment to applying all the lessons they’ve learned in life.

Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Venues

No matter what theme you decide to go with, we know the perfect venue to suit your needs—our creative team scopes out the best locations with an eye for details. A bar or bat mitzvah is one of the most important days in a young man or woman’s life, and we know how to curate an experience that the whole family will cherish and enjoy.

What is the bar mitzvah ceremony?

The bar mitzvah ceremony is an important and time-honored rite of passage. The young man is called to the Torah for the first time, and often chants a portion of the Torah reading, or the haftarah (reading from the prophets), which he has prepared.

When is a bar mitzvah?

First, and most importantly, a Jewish boy becomes a bar mitzvah on his thirteenth birthday, with or without a ceremony in synagogue. If he stumbles over a word, or forgets a sentence in his speech, he will not be disqualified.

What is the climax of Bar Mitzvah?

For most boys and their parents, the ceremony in synagogue is the climax of the bar mitzvah experience. After months of preparing, the young man stands on his own before the congregation and shows them what he has achieved. His performance successfully concluded, everyone breathes a deep sigh of relief—now they can relax and enjoy the party.

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Can you put too much pressure on a bar mitzvah boy?

Second, while preparing for the ceremony may be a rewarding experience, it should not be the sole focus of the bar mitzvah boy’s studies.

Where is a Bat Mitzvah party?

You say a Bat Mitzvah party. Generally, but not always, a Bat Mitzvah event is broken into two parts, the ceremony that typically takes place at a temple, and then an after party that almost always takes place someplace else. It could be at a restaurant, a house, or elsewhere. That said, yes.

When do girls perform bat mitzvah?

In Israel the schools give a Bat Mitzvah program in which the girls perform for the parents, near the end of 6th grade, which is usually when most girls are 12 years old.

What happens after the Torah scrolls are taken out?

When the Torah scrolls are taken out before the reading the bar mitzvah boy carries one of them to the reading table. After the reading he returns the scroll to the ark. After the services a Kiddush (refreshments or a meal) is served. In Orthodox Judaism photography or filming on the Sabbath is forbidden.

What is the Torah portion of Bar Mitzvah?

A Bar Mitzvah for a boy includes reading from a portion of the Torah, or at least saying the blessings before and after the reading by a cantor. Many learn the Haftora (the portion of the prophets read after the Torah reading) and chant it and the blessings that come before and after the Haftorah.

How old is a bar mitzvah?

A bar mitzvah is a boy who turns 13 and a bat mitzvah is a girl who turns 12. At that point, they become ‘religiously adult’ and qualify to be counted as part of the congregation, and therefore are old enough (adults) to take part in the regular daily public services.

What is the difference between a bar mitzvah and a bat mitzvah?

There’s no actual STEPS. A bar mitzvah is a boy who turns 13 and a bat mitzvah is a girl who turns 12.

Do Orthodox girls read Torah?

The more strictly Orthodox who do not believe in having gir. Continue Reading. All of the other answers fail to point out that in Orthodox Judaism the girl does not read from the Torah, only a boy does. Girls are allowed to read from the Torah and lead services only in Conservative and Reform Judaism.

What is the bat mitzvah ceremony?

In many liberal Jewish communities, for example, Reform and Conservative communities, the bat mitzvah ceremony has become almost identical to the bar mitzvah ceremony for boys. These communities usually require the girl to do a significant amount of preparation for a religious service. Often she will study with a Rabbi and/or Cantor for several months, and sometimes years. While the exact role she plays in the service will vary between the different Jewish movements and synagogues, it usually involves some or all of the elements below: 1 Leading specific prayers or the entire service during a Shabbat service or, less commonly, weekday religious service. 2 Reading the weekly Torah portion during a Shabbat service or, less commonly, weekday religious service. Often the girl will learn and use the traditional chant for the reading. 3 Reading the weekly Haftarah portion during a Shabbat service or, less commonly, weekday religious service. Often the girl will learn and use the traditional chant for the reading. 4 Giving a speech about the Torah and/or Haftarah reading. 5 Completing a tzedakah (charity) project leading up to the ceremony to raise money or donations for a charity of the bat mitzvah ’s choice.

When did bat mitzvah start?

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Jewish communities began marking when a girl became a bat mitzvah with a special ceremony. This was a break from traditional Jewish custom, which prohibited women from participating directly in religious services.

What is the Haftarah reading?

Reading the weekly Haftarah portion during a Shabbat service or, less commonly, weekday religious service. Often the girl will learn and use the traditional chant for the reading. Giving a speech about the Torah and/or Haftarah reading. Completing a tzedakah (charity) project leading up to the ceremony to raise money or donations for a charity ...

What does bat mean in Hebrew?

The word bat translates to "daughter" in Aramaic, which was the commonly spoken language of the Jewish people and much of the Middle East from about 500 B.C.E. to 400 C.E. The word mitzvah is Hebrew for "commandment.".

What is the family of a bat mitzvah?

The family of the bat mitzvah is often honored and recognized during the service with an aliyah or multiple aliyot. It has also become the custom in many synagogues for the Torah to be passed from grandparents to parents to the bat mitzvah herself, symbolizing the passing down of the obligation to engage in the study of Torah and Judaism . ...

When a girl reaches 12 years old, she becomes a bat mitzvah?

When a girl reaches 12-years-old she becomes a bat mitzvah and is recognized by Jewish tradition as having the same rights as an adult. She is now morally and ethically responsible for her decisions and actions, whereas prior to her adulthood, her parents would be morally and ethically responsible for her actions.

Is bat mitzvah a special occasion?

However, a girl becoming a bat mitzvah is still a special occasion. Over the last few decades, public celebrations of the bat mitzvah have become more common among Orthodox Jews, although the celebrations are different from the type of bat mitzvah ceremony described above. Ways of marking the occasion publicly vary by community.

Overview

Etymology

History

Significance

Aliyah to the Torah

Tefillin

Parties

Bat Mitzvah customs