Cultures around the world celebrate rituals that honor children as they come of age, and Judaism is no exception. While many people may be familiar with the concept of becoming bar or bat mitzvah, there is so much depth and history behind this ritual moment that many may be unfamiliar with. Below you will find some history and basic concepts about becoming a bar or bat mitzvah.
This ceremony was originally created as a way to mark the transition from childhood to Jewish adulthood, and the obligations and responsibilities that came with it. At that time, only men were obligated to certain mitzvot (commandments) so a Jewish boy would become bar mitzvah (bar meaning “son” and mitzvah meaning “commandment”) at age 13, which was considered the age of maturity. Since then, the concept of becoming a bar mitzvah and having a bar mitzvah ceremony has grown and evolved.
The term “bat mitzvah” is the corresponding affirmation of Jewish adulthood for girls. The first-known celebration of a bat mitzvah in North America was that of Judith Kaplan, the daughter of prominent rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, in 1921. “Bat” means “daughter” in Hebrew.
The terms "Bar Mitzvah" or "Bat Mitzvah" technically applies to the person, and not the event. One becomes a bar/bat mitzvah. It is common, however, to also use the term to describe the ceremony itself and you will hear many people say, “I’m having my bar mitzvah,” or “I’m going to their bar mitzvah next week.” Still others refer to it as a verb, "Rabbi Solomon "bar mitzvah-ed" me when I was 13".
Most bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies take place on Shabbat morning in a prayer space within the synagogue. Students work with congregational clergy, religious school teachers, and Hebrew tutors to fully prepare for the parts of the service for which they will be leading the congregation. Most bar/bat mitzvah students begin preparing several years in advance for their service.
The bar/bat mitzvah ceremony is not a performance. It is a chance for the person becoming a bar/bat mitzvah to use what they have learned to formally take their place as a teacher and leader within the community and among the Jewish people.
Depending on the congregation, the b’nai mitzvah may lead all or part of the worship service, read or chant the blessings over the Torah (called an aliyah), chant a section from the Torah portion for that week, recite the haftarah blessings, read a section from the haftarah, and deliver a brief sermon or teaching from the Torah portion they chanted.
Becoming a bar/bat mitzvah is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and represents a symbolic entryway into greater learning in the adult Jewish community. It is a time of beginning a new stage in one’s Jewish life and was never intended to be an end to education or involvement – it’s rather meant to celebrate the beginning of one’s adult Jewish journey.