Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah
Learning objectives:
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What happens at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah service
and why
The symbolism behind wearing Tefillin and
Tallit.
the importance to family and community of
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
the differences between Bat Mitzvah services
of boys and girls
Key words
Key word
definition
Bar Mitzvah
son of the commandment
Orthodox Jews
followers of a traditional
branch of Judaism
What is Bar Mitzvah or Bat
Mitzvah?
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Move from being a child to being an adult.
Judaism says a boy is a "bar mitzvah"
when he turns 13 and a girl becomes "bat
mitzvah" when she turns 12.
The child is now responsible for what
they do. If they do anything wrong, it is
their fault and not their parents’.
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The children must now make sure that
they follow the Jewish laws.
No ceremony is needed to celebrate
this but many people choose to have a
special party.
What happens in the service?
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On the shabbat following his thirteenth
birthday a Jewish boy is called up in front of
the congregation (the people) in the synagogue
to read a passage from the Torah in Hebrew
(quite a long one sometimes!).
He also usually makes a speech, which
traditionally begins with the phrase "today I
am a man."
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His father traditionally says a blessing
thanking God that he is not responsible
for his son's sins any more (because his
son is old enough to be held responsible
for himself).
These days, the religious service is
followed by a party that is often as fancy
as a wedding reception.
There are three main reasons why the Bar Mitzvah is so
important for every Jewish male:
1.The boy who has come of age is given the full religious
responsibilities of the adult male. He is allowed to wear the
ritual clothes the Tallit and the Tefillin, he can make up the
minimum 10 males who must be present for a service to take
place (the minyan), and he can take part fully in the worship
in the synagogue.
2.At any time in the future he can be called
upon to read from the Torah. All Jews consider
this to be a great privilege.
3.In many synagogues this is seen as a serious
statement of faith by the young adult. They
acknowledge their faith and acknowledge that
the responsibility for their spiritual life now
passes from their parents to them.
Bat Mitzvah
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In some parts of the Jewish church,
women are not allowed to join in religious
services, so a bat mitzvah, if celebrated
at all, is usually little more than a party.
In other parts of Judaism, the girls do
exactly the same thing as the boys.
Activities:
In groups discuss the following questions and write
the answers in your RE exercise books :
1.How is a boy prepared to be Bar Mitzvah and why
is this important in Jewish communities?
2.When does a Jewish man wear his Tallit, Tefillin
and why?
3.What are the differences between Bat Mitzvah
services of boys and girls?
Sample question
How is a boy prepared to be Bar Mitzvah
and why is this important in Jewish
communities?
Sample answer.
Preparation to be Bar Mitzvah starts when a boy is
13 years old. I think it is important because it
marks the start of adulthood
.
In my opinion a boy becomes responsible for his own
actions and behaviour at this age.
He has to learn to read Hebrew, to pray and wear
clothes that show his religion.
Topic sentence
My opinion
Example
He must also study Judaism and Jewish history so he fully
understands the religion.
Example