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
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.
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.
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.
Bar Mitzvah is for boys, but the girls are not left out. They have a Bat Mitzvah. Bar means son. Bat means daughter.
Girls mature faster than boys, so they can have their Bat Mitzvahs at 12 or 13.
because girls mostly mature faster than most boys
It is called a B'not Mitzvah, and a Bat Mitzvah for more than two girls is also called this.
Orthodox girls do have bat mitzvah celebrations at age 12. Bar mitzvah is at age 13.
They have Bar Mitzvah ceremonies for boys & Bat Mitzvah ceremonies for girls.
Not exactly, but an adult Bat Mitzvah does all the same things as the girls.
A Bat Mitzvah girl can wear appropriate formal wear, such as an elegant dress or a pant-suit.
Girls celebrate with a Bat Mitzvah at the age of 12.
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Yes; bat mitzvah is for girls.
Bat Mitzvah?
Girls have Bat Mitzvahs.
Bat Mitzvah
Girls Bar Mitzvah is called a Bat Mitzvah. A Bat Mitzvah happens when a Jewish girl turns 12 years old. Once the girl reaches that age she is an adult according to the Jewish law. This means that the girl will have to follow all applicable rules. During the ceremony the Bat-Mitzvah girl will wear the dress of her choice.