WHAT IS A BAR MITZVAH

I know that only a few know what a Bar Mitzvah is; so a very brief and perhaps not completely accurate explanation. This is in part from an internet source www.jewfaq.org/barmitz.htm.: "Bar Mitzvah" literally means "son of the commandment." "Bar" is "son" in Aramaic, which used to be the vernacular of the Jewish people. "Mitzvah" is "commandment" in both Hebrew and Aramaic. "Bat" is daughter in Hebrew and Aramaic. (The Ashkenazic pronunciation is "bas"). Technically, the term refers to the child who is coming of age, and it is strictly correct to refer to someone as "becoming a bar (or bat) mitzvah."

Aramaic was the universal language in use in Palestine at the return from the Babylonian exile.

Now-a-days the term is commonly used to designate the service and celebration of the event; but neither is needed. What it means according to the books of Moses is that at the age of 13 the child is now responsible as an adult for his/her actions.

The child is now obligated to observe the Commandments and m participate or take part in leading religious services. In Orthodox law he/she may now form binding contracts, testify before religious courts and marry.

A Jewish boy automatically becomes a bar mitzvah upon reaching the age of 13 years, and a girl upon reaching the age of 12 ( 13 in the Reform branch) years. No ceremony is needed to confer these rights and obligations.

“The popular bar mitzvah ceremony is not required, and does not fulfill any commandment The bar or bat mitzvah is a relatively modern innovation, not mentioned in the Talmud, and the elaborate ceremonies and receptions that are commonplace today were unheard of as recently as a century ago.

In its earliest and most basic form, a bar mitzvah is the celebrant's first aliyah (reciting a blessing over the Torah before and after a portion is read). During Shabbat services on a Saturday shortly after the child's 13th birthday, or even the Monday or Thursday weekday services immediately after the child's 13th birthday, the celebrant is called up to the Torah to recite a blessing over the weekly reading.

Today the celebrant reads a portion or all of that week’s Torah reading. He/she traditionally gives a speech related to that r4ading and may also take part in other portions of that morning’s service.