Celebrating My Son's Bar Mitzvah - Mayim Bialik

Celebrating  My Son's Bar Mitzvah - Mayim Bialik

Ever been invited to a bar or bat mitzvah and wonder what that even is? This video gives you a quick overview in less than ten minutes.

A bar mitzvah for males, or a bat mitzvah for females, is a Jewish celebration that honors a child’s transitioning into adulthood and taking on responsibility for sins before God. “Bar mitzvah” translates to “son of the commandment,” and “bat mizvah” translates to “daughter of the commandment.” Bar/bat terminology originates from the Aramaic languages which was commonly spoken among Jewish people in some ancient time periods, and mitvah is the Hebrew word that translates to “commandment.”

Regardless of gender, the concept usually includes both a religious ceremony and a party afterwards, though the details of both can vary wildly based on different types of Judaism as well as personal preference. The religious ceremony often includes leading prayers during a Shabbat service, reading portions of the Torah and/or Haftarah in Hebrew, and sometimes even philantrophy work for a charity of the honoree’s choice. This requires learning Hebrew as well as portions of Jewish history and law to be able to expound on some of the readings in addition to literally reading the text.

The festivities are usually the day after the religious ceremony. Ideally, the event should focus more on faith and the maturity associated with becoming a spiritual adult growing in the image of God rather than the party itself.

Written by Erin Parfet

 

 

 

 

Related Articles

More From Traditions

Bar Mitzvah

When a young boy reaches the age of thirteen he is termed a bar mitzvah, which literally means…
Bar Mitzvah

Jewish Wedding Rings

Even though we have modernized we still hold some sacred old traditions dear amongst the Jewish…
Jewish Wedding Rings

Torah Reading

The custom of reading from the Torah on Saturday mornings is so old that it is difficult to be…
Torah Reading

Yiddish Part Two

Prior to the Holocaust, Yiddish, a language more resembling Middle High German than anything…
Yiddish Part Two

What is a Get?

A get is a divorce under halacha, or Jewish law. The word can also refer to the document that…
What is a Get?

A Stone to Remember

Many cultures have different ways of dealing with death. One Jewish custom is to place a stone…
A Stone to Remember

A Salty Jewish Tradition

The Torah says “And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall…
A Salty Jewish Tradition
Hebrew letters spell the word Toda that means thank you.

Hebrew for You - Toda

How do you express gratitude when someone does something special for you? Do you say thank you?…
Hebrew for You - Toda

Jewish Calendar

LUNAR-SOLAR CALENDAR.The Jewish calendar is based mainly on the phases of the moon; but it also…
Jewish Calendar

Tzedakah

Tzedakah is from the word meaning righteousness. A tzadek is a righteous person.
Tzedakah

Oral Law

Orthodox believe that at Mount Sinai, God gave to Moses not only the written Torah but also…
Oral Law

Adopt a Jewish Mother

Rent a son! In Japan people actually hire someone to be a “father” or “friend” for a day.
Adopt a Jewish Mother
A bride and groom under a chupah, a large covering often used at weddings.

Jewish Wedding

A chupah is a large covering that is often used at weddings to cover the bride and groom.
Jewish Wedding

Mezuzah on the Doorpost

If you visit a Jewish home one thing that you may see is a mezuzah. A mezuzah is a small…
Mezuzah on the Doorpost

Halacha

The word Halakhah comes from the root word halakh which means “to go” and it is the name given…
Halacha

Magen David

The Magen David is the six pointed star also known as the Star of David. Magen David literally…
Magen David

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation