Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs

A Bar Mitzvah, meaning “son of the commandment,” is a celebration of a Jewish boy when he starts his adult life at the age of 13. From this point forward he must obey all the Jewish laws. In Jewish culture, children are not required to follow the commandments.

The ceremony is typically held in a synagogue on a Saturday morning. The boy recites a prayer from the Torah. The boy is then blessed typically by the boy's father and the ceremony concludes with a meal. Many times there is also dancing.

The Bat Mitzvah, meaning “daughter of the commandment,” is the female equivalent of a Bar Mitzvah. Bat Mitzvahs are held before or after the main service at the synagogue. The main difference is that Jewish girls celebrate their Bat Mitzvah at the age of 12.