The time that a young Jewish child is recognized as an adult corresponds to the time they become a bar / bat mitzvah at the age of 12 or 13. The Hebrew word “mitzvah” directly translates to “commandment” in English, however, it is commonly used to describe good deeds. The word bar means son, while the word bat means daughter. Therefore, girls are bat mitzvahs, while boys are bar mitzvahs, and the day represents when one possesses the obligation and privilege to observe G-d’s commandments. Additionally, some decide to have their ceremony together, and those are called b’nai mitzvahs.
On the day of one’s bar or bat mitzvah, he or she leads a service at a synagogue: singing the prayers, chanting the Torah (known as the haftorah), giving a speech (D’var Torah), and other traditional events. The haftorah is the section where one chants the parashah. A parashah represents the week’s section of the Torah, and sometimes there is a double parashah! The most difficult practice for one’s service is typically chanting this parashah because the way one reads the Torah is not simply by reading any other script. Given the sacred value of the Torah, there is a special way to read it. There are 27 tropes that go along with the 22 Hebrew letters, and the tropes are commonly known as the “flavor to Torah”, as they change the melody with their different notes.
In addition to the service of one’s bar or bat mitzvah, he or she typically performs a project that gives back to the community: a mitzvah (a good deed). The project is traditionally discussed in the speech that a bar or bat mitzvah gives during their service. Moreover, it is really the core idea that the bar or bat mitzvah will now perform a multitude of mitzvot (good deeds) in the future. There are a total of 613 mitzvot that can be extracted from the Torah. Some believe there are 613 seeds to correspond to the 613 mitzvot, while others simply believe the seeds represent the abundance of mitzvot. The reason for the pomegranate is that it represents fruitfulness, knowledge, learning, and wisdom.
On top of the service and project of one’s bar or bat mitzvah, he or she can have a celebratory party! The party has grown to become a huge aspect of some bar or bat mitzvahs. From dancing to party games, DJs, food, and photo booths, the celebrations in the modern day have become quite fancy. Meanwhile, instead of a party, others take a trip to a location they have been seeking to visit, typically Israel!
My sister chose to go to Israel for her Bat Mitzvah, meanwhile, I chose to have mine where I live. I had learned my Torah portion rapidly, an accomplishment I was very proud of! I had parashat Vayakhel, a parashah where G-d gave Moses a list of materials that he would need for the Mishkan. The Mishkan is the place where B'nai Yisrael made sacrifices to G-d. With that list, Moses ordered the people of B'nai Yisrael to each bring at least one item of their choice for the Mishkan. I had been super anxious about my service, but I conquered my fear and it all went very smoothly! I celebrated with a party with all my friends and family that I had a lot of fun at! It was truly a day I will never forget: March 2nd, 2019!
( picture of me in my synagogue for my bat mitzvah!)
I hope you all now understand a little bit more of the value and traditions of a bar/bat mitzvah! Feel free to leave any questions you may still have, I would be happy to answer!
-Lyndee Sklute
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