answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Bar and bat mitzvah are not ceremonies but a legal status -- when a boy becomes 'bar mitzvah' (literally, ' a son of the commandment') or when a girl becomes 'bat mitzvah' (a daughter of the commandment), he or she is legally an adult and obligated to observe all the commandments (up to that time the child's parents are responsible). So you just become bar mitzvah by living for 13 years and a day (boys) or 12 years and a day (girls -- though some Jewish denominations also place this at 13 and a day). No ceremony is necessary, and before the 20th century, it was hardly marked at all: boys would be called up to the ceremonial reading of the Torah in synagogue on a week day and would start to lay tefillin (phylacteries) daily; since girls did not participate in these rituals, little if anything was done to mark the day. However, in the 20th century, due to all sorts of pressures and desires (e.g. sociological - the desire to have a rite parallel to Christian confirmation; spiritual/religious - the desire to involve the maturing child in their religion and provide an opportunity for spiritual education and reflection; social - the desire to mark a rite of passage more visibly), the customs surrounding bar/batmitzvah have developed enormously. The very first public bat mitzvah only took place in 1922. Since then, entirely optional events like the party have become very central.

Liskeardziz

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

Bar mitzvahs are when a Jewish boy becomes an adult in the eyes of Jewish law. This happens on their 13th birthday. To celebrate this major event in their lives, the bar or bat mitzvah will publicly read from the torah for the first time in their life.
To mark a Jewish boy's entry into adulthood.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Girls tend to reach emotional maturity before boys - ask any teacher for proof. As such, they are thought to be capable of taking on adult roles within the Jewish community at an earlier age than boys - though in modern times, the celebration of this capability is largely symbolic in the case of both sexes.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

The term Bat Mitzvah means that a Jewish girl has turned 12 years old and is now considered to be an adult; having to keep all the Mitzvot in the Torah.

This happens without any human intervention.

There is no obligation to celebrate this day - if the young lady does not wish to celebrate it.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Bar Mitzvah is for boys, but the girls are not left out. They have a Bat Mitzvah. Bar means son. Bat means daughter.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Girls mature faster than boys, so they can have their Bat Mitzvahs at 12 or 13.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Anonymous

Lvl 1
3y ago

because girls mostly mature faster than most boys

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why do girls have to have a Bat Mitzvah?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions