What does a rabbi do during a bar mitzvah?

Answer 1

That depends on where the wedding takes place.

-- In classical, Judaic, Rabbinic law, no Rabbi or official of any kind is needed in

order to make a marriage 'official'. Nobody 'marries' the couple. They marry

themselves and each other, by mutual consent and a series of agreements and

actions, that we don't need to go into just now.

-- However, in most modern countries, the presence of a state-certified official is

required to order to create an official marriage that is recognized by the state. In

the US, these vary by State, but typically include judges, JPs, clergy, the captain

of the ship outside of territorial waters, etc.

At a modern-day Jewish wedding, the Rabbi is there to "officiate" as the agent of

the state. From the Jewish point of view, the Rabbi is there in his typical role ...

as expert in Jewish law and as teacher. He 'conducts' the ceremony, much as a

'master of ceremonies' might, observing each detail of the procedure to assure

that the process of marriage is conducted as Jewish law requires, and that the

validity of this marriage cannot be disputed in the future on religious grounds.

Finally, as teacher, he may be called upon to speak a message for the couple, of

inspiration, attachment to tradition and heritage, and the hope of the community

for their success in their new relationship and their new life in the house of Israel.

The Rabbi does not "pronounce" anyone "Man and Wife". He monitors the process,

in order to guarantee that they become man and wife to each other, in accordance

with the strict application of Jewish law.

Answer 2

There are a number of steps to a Jewish wedding, often officiated by a Rabbi or a Cantor. sometimes the Rabbi will speak, blessing the couple. The wedding ceremony comprised of seven blessings, the reading of the "ketubah" or marriage document, drinking of wine, the groom giving the bride a ring and the breaking of a glass.

The ketubah is the long passage often read at a wedding and will leave the guests wondering what the Rabbi or Cantor is reading.

This document is considered to be the terms of the marriage. There are a number of different texts used for a ketubah, this can vary if the marriage is being conducted in the orthodox, conservative or reform tradition. Some variations have been composed for egalitarian unions, or even gay and lesbian ceremonies.

See the related links I have included for sample texts that cover most types of Ketubah and more about a traditional Jewish wedding.

Answer 3

A rabbi is the leader of the congregation and of the service in the synagogue.

However, when a boy is being bar mitzvah, if he a fairly intelligent type and has the will to do it, he can more-or-less take over that particualr service with the rabbi taking a watchful backseat.

Most boys tend to take over just a small part of the service which leaves the rabbi to carry on as he would on any other Shabbat (Saturday) service.

Answer 4

The rabbi might quote a passage from the Torah that's relevant to the occasion and to the particular couple. Or he might not.

His purpose in being there is to monitor the proceedings, make sure that the elements required by Jewish law are included in the ceremony and are properly performed; and to simultaneously fulfill the requirement for the presence of a government-recognized wedding-officiator.

Nothing that the rabbi says or doesn't say during the wedding ceremony either makes the wedding official or prevents it from becoming official. The Jewish bride and groom marry each other; the rabbi doesn't marry them.

Answer:

At a traditional wedding, the Rabbi reads the Ketubah (wedding contract) under the wedding canopy, as part of the ceremony.

Answer 5

Customarily, the Rabbi reads the ketubah (marriage-document). He may also recite the Seven Blessings over the cup of wine. The main function of the Rabbi at the wedding is to supervise, ensuring that it conforms with the details of Jewish law.

Answer 6

At a traditional wedding, the Rabbi reads the Ketubah (wedding contract) under the wedding canopy, as part of the ceremony. See also:

The Jewish wedding

Answer 7

He helps the Jewish boy as much as possible and says special prayers for them.

Answer 8

The Rabbi leads the service as they do at any synagogue service.