Mile Chai:
We are your online resource for
Bar Mitzvah Gifts,
Jewish Jewelry, Menorahs, Jewish Books, Jewish gifts and Judaica,
and music and much more.
www.milechai.com
Aharon's Jewish Books and Judaica
600 South Holly Street Suite 103
Denver, Colorado 80246
303-322-7345
800-830-8660
Monday through
Thursday 9 AM to 4 PM
Friday 9 AM to 2 PM
Sunday 9 AM to 4 PM
Bar
and Bat Mitzvah
According to Jewish law, when Jewish
children reach 13 years old for boys
and 12 years old for girls they become
responsible for their actions, and
"become a Bat Mitzvah" (English: Son
(Bar) of the commandment). In many
Conservative and Reform synagogues,
girls celebrate becoming a Bat Mitzvah
at age 12, along with boys at 13. This
also coincides with physical puberty.
Prior to this, the child's parents
hold the responsibility for the
child's adherence to Jewish law and
tradition. After this age, children
bear their own responsibility for
Jewish ritual law, tradition, and
ethics and are privileged to
participate in all areas of Jewish
community life. Sometimes the ceremony
itself is erroneously referred to as a
Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
In Orthodox Jewish observance, the
occasion of becoming a Bar Mitzvah
involves the young man being called to
read the Torah, a Haftarah portion, or
both at a Shabbat or other service
(Thursday morning, Monday morning or a
festival) when the Torah is read, and
may also involve giving a d'var Torah,
a discussion of that week's Torah
portion.