Understanding The Traditions And Religious Symbolism Of The Bar Mitzvah

To understand what a Bar Mitzvah is, you have to understand its basic concept

, the ceremony, the celebration and party, and traditional gift ideas.

The bar mitzvah is a traditional Jewish celebration for 13 year old boys. Here is some information about the Jewish culture so you can understand more about the bar mitzvah.

Understand the basic concept

Literally, bar mitzvah means "son of commandment" in English. Bar mitzvah refers to the celebrant and to the religious event itself. A boy of 13 years old is called a "bar mitzvah" during his 13th birthday. Being a bar mitzvah provides the same rights of a full grown adult which means that he is now responsible of his actions and he can make his own decisions moving forward. Bar mitzvah also refers to the celebration and party of the 13 year old boy. Although the party isn't necessary, the 13-year old is still called a bar mitzvah.

The ceremony

The way the ceremony will be done depends on whether the family is a member of the Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform movement. How the celebrations run has changed or emphasized as time goes by. The traditional way of marking this religious celebration is the reading of the boy's first aliyah in his first Torah service. Today, more preparation is made and the boy's participation is greater. The guests honor the family of the celebrant with an aliyah or more. It is also customary for the Torah to be passed from the grandfather down to the father and lastly to the bar mitzvah. This is a symbol of the passing down of the responsibility to study the Torah and engage in Judaism.

The celebration and party

Having an after-bar mitzvah party is a recent add-on. This part is just optional. It should be ensured that the bar mitzvah is the focus of the event, not the actual party. Note that the party is just a celebration for a religious event, just like a wedding party to a wedding ceremony.

Gift ideas

Just like any important occasion, be it religious or not, gifts are always present and bar mitzvahs are certainly not an exception. Generally, the gifts are given after the ceremony is over, during the meal, or at the celebratory party. You can endow the celebrant with any mitzvah gift suited for a 13 year old. It isn't necessary for the presents to have a religious implication. Giving cash is also acceptable and common. It is also a practice for the guests or attendants to donate money to the charity chosen by the bar mitzvah. Giving money for his college education or other Jewish education program in which he is participating is also appropriate.

by: Jacob Schiffer

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