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Practices vary depending on what day the Bar Mitzvah is celebrated, what time of day and what congregation. Traditionally, there are Torah readings at services on Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Monday morning and Thursday morning. The Saturday morning service has the longest reading, with 7 people called up to the Torah and, traditionally, the entire weekly portion being read (roughly 1/52 of the Torah, since the entire Torah is read annually). At the other services, there are fewer people called up, and the minimum number of verses per person is just 3, so the reading can be brief. Many Conservative synagogues follow a triennial reading cycle, where they read the entire Torah over a period of 3 years. So in these, the Saturday Morning reading will be roughly (1/52)/3 of the Torah. Many Reform synagogues shorten the readings even more.
Add to this a variation in how much of the Torah reading is done by the bar mitzvah boy (or bat mitzvah girl). It is quite common for the boy to chant the Maftir portion (the final section of the reading) along with the Haftara (the reading from the prophets following the Torah portion on Saturday Mornings). That's enough for a young adult or ordinary ability. Some kids, however, are eager to learn. I've been to Conservative bar mitzvahs where the boy chanted the entire Torah portion. I've also been to services where the boy could barely manage three verses, leaving the remainder to the Baal Koreh (the master of reading, the person who usually reads).
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What do Jews read at bar mitzvah?
The Torah and Haftorah
What do Jews where on their bar mitzvah?
They read from the Torah for the very first time.
Is reading from the Torah permitted in the afternoon at an afternoon Bar Mitzvah?
The Torah is read in the afternoon on Sabbath, Yom Kippur, and public fast days. If a Bar Mitzvah is being highlighted at one of those services, then the Torah is read. Technically, a Bar Mitzvah in and of itself would not be a reason to read the Torah at a service where it wouldn't otherwise be read.
What can a Jewish girl do after her Bat Mitzvah?
After a girl's Bat Mitzvah, or a boy's Bar Mitzvah, they can then lead the congregation in prayer, and read directly from the Torah scroll.
Where does the bar mitzvah ceremony take place?
The Bar Mitzvah ceremony normally takes place in the synagogue on a Saturday morning when the weekly Torah portion is read.
Bar mitzvah speeches?
Torah Portions
How is a Torah used in a bar mitzvah?
The Torah is read publicly during the synagogue service on the morning of every Sabbath and festival. It is also read during the service on every Monday and Thursday morning, and in the afternoon on the Sabbath.When a boy becomes Bar Mitzvah, the occasion may very well be celebrated during a synagogue service at which the Torah is read. In that event, the Bar Mitzvah boy may likely participate in the reading. The normal procedure won't be altered on account of the celebration.
What is the structure of a bar mitzvah?
A Jewish boy's 13th birthday (on the Jewish calendar) is the only requirement for him to become a bar mitzvah. In regard to celebrating the boy becoming a bar mitzvah, the main part his his being called up to read from the Torah for the first time.
What preparations are made before a bar mitzvah?
Customarily, the young man is taught how to say the blessings for a Torah-reading, and is taught how to read a portion of the Torah or of the Prophets with the traditional chant.
What is the pointer used in bar mitzvah called?
Clarification is needed. The pointer used isn't specific to the Bar Mitzvah ceremony, it is the pointer used whenever the Torah scroll is read. The pointer itself is called a 'yad' which means 'hand'.
How is the Bar Mitzvah ceremony celebrated?
It is normally celebrated by the Bar Mitzvah boy (13 years old) is called up to read part or all of the weekly Torah portion in the synagogue. After that the family may chose to celebrate by having a party. For more info on Bar Mitzvah you can check out http://www.yourjewishspeech.com/bar-mitzvah
Explain the ceremony of a bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah?
1. Bar Mitzvah is for 13-year-old boys 2. Bat Mitzvah is for 12- or 13-year old girls They read Hebrew passages from the Torah and Haftorah. They also give speeches on how they feel about their religious passage into adulthood. The rabbi blesses them and they have parties.
