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Does a rabbi have to lead a bat mitzvah havdalah service for the bat mitzvah to be legitimate?
At any given time, there are hundreds of questions here on WikiAnswers, waiting for responses,
all asking about the rules, procedures, special prayers, and legitimacy, of bar and bat mitzvah.
It's troubling that such distorted myths concerning bar and bat mitzvah are so widespread.
First, here are the important definitions: The "Bar Mitzvah" is the boy who is turning 13 years old, and
now becomes responsible for his own religious and ethical behavior. The "Bat Mitzvah" is the girl who
is turning 12 years old, and now becomes responsible for her own religious and ethical behavior.
These life passages are traditionally regarded as occasions to celebrate. There are as many different
forms of celebration as there are boys and girls who reach the occasion. Just like any other modern
social and cultural phenomenon without any firm guidelines, the celebrations range from relatively
small and private, to 'happenings' that are expensive, ostentatious, and overboard.
Since the occasion is, by definition, primarily associated with a transition in religious responsibility,
one aspect of the celebration is nearly universal ... the participation of the celebrant, for the first time,
in the synagogue service. There is no traditional addition to the service, no extra prayer, no unique
activity or component, over and above the usual, routine service that would take place on that date if
there were no bar mitzvah being celebrated ... with one small exception: At the proper moment during
the service, the father of the Bar Mitzvah recites a special blessing, wherein he expresses his gratitude
for being now relieved of the responsibility for the boy's misdeeds. The blessing comprises all of ten
words, but there is a 5-word option that most fathers choose instead. And that is the only officially
mandated change in the regular synagogue service on the occasion of a Bar Mitzvah celebration.
Anything else added or changed is initiated by the celebrant, the family, or the congregation, with
the rabbi's acquiescence.
The party, reception, dinner, dance, sports outing, music festival, safari, moon mission, or whatever
else might be planned to mark the celebration, is a matter of the individual family's choice, philosophy,
standards, and budget. None of the above are required components of the occasion.
The main take-away facts are: The Bar- and Bat-Mitzvah are the boy and the girl who reach the age
of responsibility. The occasion is usually marked by their participation, for the first time, in the normal
synagogue service. And whether or not the occasion is acknowledged or celebrated, and whether or
not they are even aware of it at the time, once they reach the age of responsibility, they become
responsible. The man is a Bar Mitzvah, the girl is a Bat Mitzvah, regardless of what has or hasn't been
done to mark the occasion, and regardless of how they or anyone else may feel about it.
What else can I help you with?
Do you have to have a rabbi present at your bar mitzvah?
Yes. It makes it official.
How do you prepare for a baritzvah?
to prepare for a bar or bat mitzvah, usually one studies with the rabbi and cantor to learn the service, Torah reading, and hafatrah reading (and also Hebrew if you don't knopw it well)-there are usually bnai mitzvah classes at the synagogue
What religious people would be invited to a bar mitzvah?
If you are a guest at a bar mitzvah, you don't really do anything except sit with the congregation during the service. The bar mitzvah boy (or bat mitzvah girl) usually leads and/or takes part in the service, reading from the Torah or at least saying the Torah blessings.
When do dogs get there first rabbi shot?
Prior to the year of their bar mitzvah, after sundown on Passover.
Would the chief rabbi have to be present at the bar mitzvah?
No. In fact, most countries in the world do not have chief rabbis. But if the synagogue has more than 1 rabbi, the Senior Rabbi should be present if possible.
Who is in involved in bar mitzvah?
A Rabbi, the boy, his friends and family are all involved in a Bar Mitzva.
Are there any bat mitzvah speeches relating to genesis chapter 44 18-34 to read?
I think a Conservative rabbi or Reform rabbi would know.
Where is a Bar Mitzvah held?
A Bar Mitzvah is held at a synagogue. The rabbi talks about the boy and says some prayers. The young boy reads the Haftarah (a portion of the Prophets) and when the service is over, the boy has become a man. After the service, traditionally the bar mitzvahed man has a party at a place where more friends and family show up. It trully is an amazing experience.
How do you decide on the order for a candle lighting ceremony at a bat mitzvah?
A candle lighting ceremony isn't a traditional part of a bat mitzvah service so there's no established rule regarding who participates. If you can't decide on what order to invite people up to participate, try discussing it with your rabbi for his or her input.
Who can do a bar mitzvah beside the rabbi?
A boy becomes bar mitzvah at age 13 with or without a celebration. It's a simple matter of age, being old enough to be counted in a minyan (the quorum required for communal religious services) and old enough to be held responsible for his own actions. It is traditional to allow the boy to lead at least part of a religious service to celebrate this, with a minyan present (10 adults, including the new young adult, traditionally all men). Any adult Jew can lead the service, including the bar mitzvah boy himself. No rabbi is needed to "do" it.
Is Geoff Schwartz Jewish?
Yes Geoff Schwartz is Jewish. At his bar mitzvah the rabbi had to stand on a stool to reach him.
Is it possible to reverse a Bat Mitzvah- kind of like reversing a baptism?
You need to ask a Conservative or Reform rabbi about that.
