What are Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah?

Answer 1

A Bat Mitzvah ("Bas Mitzvah" in the Ashkenazi pronunciation of Yiddish) is a Jewish girl at the beginning of adulthood. The bat mitzva is the girl; the term literally means "daughter of the commandment." It can also refer to the public ceremony marking and celebrating this rite of passage.

The transformation from child to adult involves, on the part of the girl, an assumption of the responsibilities of the Jew (the commandments), and, on the part of the community, a recognition that this girl is a full-fledged member thereof and is no longer a child.

In Orthodox Judaism, a girl becomes bat mitzvah at the age of 12.

The Conservative and Reform movements mark this transition at 12 or 13, often accompanied by a synagogue ceremony, usually involving reading from the Torah.

Judaism does not obligate minors to keep the commandments of the Torah.

When a girl reached the age of 12 she in considered an adult and from that moment on is obligated to fulfill the Torah commandments applicable to women.

Her twelfth birthday is call her Bat Mitzvah day.

Since it is a privilege to fulfill the commandments of the Torah, this day is often marked with a Thanksgiving celebration. This celebration is often called her Bat Mitzvah.

Answer 2

A Bar Mitzvah (בר מצוה) is the the ceremony where a Jewish boy becomes recognized as an adult, on or after age 13. The ceremony takes pace during a regular prayer service, usually on Saturday mornings. The boy leads and/or takes part in the service and is called to the Torah for the first time.

Afterwards, there is usually a party and a festive meal.

A Bat Mitzvah (בת מצוה) is the the ceremony where a Jewish girl becomes recognized as an adult, on or after age 12. For Orthodox girls, it may consist of a party and/or a speech. For non-Orthodox Girls, it is exactly the same as a Bar Mitzvah.

The ceremony requires a lot of hard / prep work and organization as well.

Bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah parties use a wide variety of favors or decorations, they are also called mazeltovfavors. Gifts are common, and money is often given as a present in multiples of 18, which symbolizes life.

The origin of the Bar Mitzvah comes from the Talmud, about 1500 years ago. Because in the tractate kiddushin (30b) it says that a case of Zevulun ben dan was that his grandfather taught him Mikrah (Torah - Jewish bible) and at thirteen years old, he started to teach him the talmud which he then introduced the theory of bar mitzvah If you're a Jewish male, you become a bar mitzvah when you turn 13.

The origin of the Bat Mitzvah started on March 18, 1922, but it wasn't until the 1970's that girls regularly did the exact same thing as boys, and even then, it is only non-orthodox girls who are called to the Torah.

Answer 3

The difference is bar mitvah is for boys at 13 and bat mitzvah is for girls at 12 when they become an adult and are recognized by Jewish community but it can be done at any later age where the Torah is read in Hebrew

Answer 4

Bar Mitzvah means Son of the Commandments. Bat Mitzvah means Daughter of the Commandments. Both are coming of age ceremonies. A boy becomes Bar Mitzvah at 13, a girl at 12. Whether or not a ceremony and party are held a boy or girl who have passed these ages are still considered B'nai(Children) Mitzvah.

Answer 5

Bar Mitzvah

- When a Jewish boy turns 13 he becomes a Bar Mitzvah, at which point he is considered a man, responsible for his moral and religious decisions. A typical ceremony will include the boy reading from the Torah followed by a joyous party.

Bat Mitzvah

- When a Jewish girl turns 12 (girls mature faster than boys)she becomes a Bat Mitzvah, at which point she is considered a woman and now responsible for her moral and religious decisions. Often times the girl will read from the Torah or HafTorah although this is optional. There is party afterward in celebration.

The word 'bar' is Aramaic for 'son'.

The word 'bat' is Hebrew for 'daughter'.

Confirmation

-When a Christian child is between the ages of 12 - 15, he/she makes his/her own adult decision to remain faithful to the Church. The Baptismal vows which were made when the candidate was a baby, by his/her godparents, are now being said by him/herself. The Bishop touches the forehead of the Confirmation Candidate, & says "Receive the Seal of the Holy Spirit." In the Catholic Church, a young person who is making his/her Confirmation, may choose a patron Saint.

Answer 6

Bat Mitzvah- an initiation ceremony for girls in Modern communities that takes place at the age of 12. Bat Mitzvah means Daughter of the Commandment, the ceremony is like that of the boys but they do not learn how to put on tephillin. Bat Chayil- this means daughter of Valour and it takes place in Orthodox communities. As women do not read from the Torah a girl normally gives a presentation on a Jewish topic. This does not take place during the Shabbat service but takes place straight after or on a Sunday.

Answer 7

Bar and bat mitzvahs are when a Jewish child becomes an adult in the eyes of Jewish law. For boys, this happens on their 13th birthday and for girls, on their 12th birthday. To celebrate this major event in their lives, the bar or bat mitzvah will read from the torah for the first time in their life.

Answer 8

Bar Mitzvah is for boys, and Bat Mitzvah is for girls.

Answer 9

They celebrate a Jewish child reaching adulthood.