What is the average amount of money spent on a bar-mitzvah?

Answer 1

It depends on how close you are to the person. A custom is to give money in multiples of $18, which is numerically equivalent to the word for "life" in Hebrew (think about it as if Roman Numerals spelled out a word).
The amount of money to give is entirely up to you. Just like a wedding gift, there is no set amount. If you're more of an acquaintance than a close family friend, give less. Gift cards are a good alternative to cash.

If you give a cash gift, usually the gift should be in a multiple of 18 (such as $18, $36, $54, etc.), as 18 symbolizes in Hebrew the word "Chai", which means life.

Answer 2

The traditional monetary amount is multiples of 18 dollars (18 is acceptable). The symbolism comes from the Hebrew word chai, meaning life. The numeric values of the letters combined is 18. The same rule applies to weddings.

Answer 3

Multiples of 18. In Hebrew, each letter has a numerical value, the letters that make up the word 'chai', which means life, have the numerical value of 18.

it is considered a lucky number. And is the root to the Hebrew word L"CHAIM

A TOAST meaning TO LIFE

Answer 4

A Jewish boy becomes a bar mitzvah when he turns 13 years of age, whether he or anyone around him

is aware of it at the time, and whether or not he or anyone else decides to acknowledge the occasion or

celebrate it in any way.

Answer 5

It is customary to give at least $36 - $100 dollars. Also it is a custom is to give in multiples of $18. The reason for giving in multiples of 18 is that the numerical value of the letters for the Hebrew word 'chai', which means 'life', is 18.

It also depends on how close you are to the person.

Answer 6

The usual amount is $50.00 from people who don't have that much money. But from a friend or close it should be $100.00. From family it should be $150-300 or more. I'm not kidding with any of these amounts. Be kind and generous but if you don't have alot of money try $30.00 but its okay not to have alot of money. We ALL understand. :) Just tell them privately. Some people like to do any multiple of 18. like: 18, 36, 54, 72, 90, 108, 126, 144, 162, 180. :)Also, it depends on where you live. If you are in a wealthier area, a more generous gift is expected than if you live in a not-so-well-off place.

Answer 7

When giving a monetary gift, the tradition is to give multiples of $18.

Answer 8

It is customary to give multiples of 18. For a friend from school who you aren't close to people usually give 36 or 54. It also depends on if your whole family is going or if it is just you.

Answer 9

There is no specific custom as to the amount of a wedding gift. But money given at Jewish weddings is usually in multiples of 18.