What is a bar mitzvah ceremony?

Answer 1

Technically, there really is no ceremony. Rather, a boy becomes bar mitzvah (a son of the commandments) at age 13 regardless of whether or not any celebration is held. When the boy turns 13, he is old enough to be counted toward a minyan, the quorum of 10 people needed to hold a communal worship service in the Jewish tradition, and he is eligible to be called up for an alyiah to read or at least say the blessings for a segment of the Torah reading at a service. To celebrate a boy becoming bar mitzvah, it is traditional to hold a service where that boy is counted toward the minyan and is called up for an alyiah. Frequently, the boy will lead part or even all of the service and read the Torah for his alyiah and frequently also the haftara, the reading from the prophets that follows the Torah reading. The service itself is just a regular Jewish service, although the boy may give a sermon and the rabbi and family members may give speeches and gifts to the boy. In addition, the kiddush after the service (minimally, just wine and bread) is typically expanded to a festive meal.