0
Bar Mitzvah
When a Jewish boy reaches the age of 13, he will become a Bar Mitzvah. Whoever becomes a Bar Mitzvah should have responsibility for their religious and ethical behavior.
239 Questions
Where there any Bar Mitzvahs held in ghettos during the Holocaust?
Yes people still held bar mitzvahs in the ghetto but they were very small and secretive so they wouldn't get caught.
Do Bar and Bat Mitzvahs have to have Havdalah services to be legitimate?
No - Havdalah is the service at the end of Shabbat.
Why are boys and girls called son or daughter of the commandments?
The terms of "Bar Mitzvah" and "Bat Mitzvah", which is what the asker is driving at come from the idea that up until the point of Bar Mitzvah a boy is blameless for his sins and needs his parents to follow the commandments and atone for him. When a boy becomes Bar Mitzvah, he inherits the commandments and the direct responsibility for his actions. Since he is the youngest person in the room (i.e. no children are in the sanctuary) he is like a new son, the new generation. The concepts apply equally to Bat Mitzvah, but as girls are seen to mature more quickly than boys, the age of Bat Mitzvah is 12 while the age of Bar Mitzvah is 13.
What is the bar mitzvah's dance called?
The traditional Jewish festival dance is the Hora. The Hora, as with many of the tradition Judaic dances, is a circle dance where you do the grapevine and ocassionally move to the middle of the circle while lifting your hands. However, B'not Mitzvahs also involve other common party dances, such as the YMCA and the Electric Slide.
How much should you give for a Bar Mitzvah for a close friend and if your whole family is going?
Simply give as much as you feel comfortable with. If many family members are going, try seeing how much each person can contribute and then give everything that you have come up with.
Yes, I'm looking at some now. I don't know what the difference is, my guess would be the manufacturer . Trying to find more info.
Are you asked to participate in any way at a bar mitzvah?
A person may be asked to participate in the Bar Mitzvah ceremony by performing an honor or something similar, but this participation is known well in advance of the Bar Mitzvah. The synagogue will not put any person on the spot to perform some aspect for the Bar Mitzvah.
What are the ten males called that have to be present at a bar mitzvah for it to take place?
In orthodox services, 10 males make up a minyan. In non-Orthodox services, women are also counted in minyans.
Since a Bar Mitzvah is held during a service, it would require a minyan.
How does Bar mitzvah might affect a Jewish boys life?
At the age of thirteen, which is when the Bar Mitzva ceremony is held, the young man enters Jewish adulthood and becomes a full member of the adult congregation.
He reads a portion of the Torah, or a Haftarah from the Prophets, with the traditional trope (chant) and blessings. He will have been taught how to do this, as well as some basics about the Torah and mitzvot (Jewish observances). A celebratory meal is customary, and does not have to be in the same place or the same day.
The importance of the Bar Mitzva is that it is a major Jewish life-event and hopefully it will impress upon the young man the value and desirability of exploring and experiencing his heritage.
In this age of generation-gaps, rebelliousness and personal upheavals, many people and families could benefit from the wisdom of their ancient forebears. Today, the major Torah-texts and commentaries are available in translation; and there are outreach organizations and beginner yeshivas which serve to make the full breadth of Torah understandable to whoever is interested. In many instances it is the Bar Mitzva ceremony which sparks the beginning of a youngster's becoming a circumspect, courteous, knowledgeable and respectable peer in his Jewish community.
How do you spell Mazal Tov and is that an appropriate sentiment for a boy having a Bar Mitzvah?
That is absolutely a most appropriate sentiment, both for the bar mitzvah himself, and for his parents and relatives.
It is said with a big smile, preferably while shaking hands or hugging.
If you try to write it, then "Mazal Tov" is just fine. But it's much better to SAY it a lot.
What is the significance of a gift of 18.00 to the Bar Mitzvah candidate?
The reason $18.00, or a multiple of 18 is so often given is because in Judaism, 18 is a very significant number.
18 means "Chai", in Hebrew, which in English, means "Life".
Hope this helps!
Clarification:
In Hebrew, each letter of the alphabet has a numerical value. The letters that make up the word 'chai', which means life, have the value of 18. 18 doesn't actually mean 'chai'.
Is carob bar no better for you than a chocolate bar?
Carob is sweeter than cocoa- less sugar has to be added. So, it has less sugar and calories than chocolate.
What preparations are made before a bar mitzvah?
Customarily, the young man is taught how to say the blessings for a Torah-reading, and is taught how to read a portion of the Torah or of the Prophets with the traditional chant.
