Q: What is the importance of Bar/Bat Mitzvah to the Jewish young and
to the Jewish community?
A: Bar Mitzva takes place at the age of 13; Bat Mitzva is at 12. These
ages were chosen as the ages of responsibility in the eyes of the Jewish
community. From this age forward, the young person is held accountable
for their actions, their parents are no longer responsible for their religious
observance. So, for example, the child is no required to fast on fast
days, and is also accorded adult privileges, such as being able to be
counted in a minyan, a quorum for prayer, and being allowed to recite
the blessings over the Torah in synagogue.
By this age, the young person should know the difference between right
and wrong and have the self control to choose to do what is right. It
is customary in most communities to celebrate the child's coming of age
by calling them to the Torah for the first time. Often the child will
also chant the Haftara, the prophetic reading for the day, and may also
speak about these portions. In my own congregation, the Bar or Bat Mitzva
will also lead much of the service. Many times the parents will host an
additional celebration in the child's honor on Saturday night or Sunday
afternoon.
Bar or Bat Mitzva is a time for the entire community to rejoice, as
another young Jew reaches maturity. Each Jew is very precious, and we
join the parents in celebrating their child's advancement. Bar/Bat Mitzva
is also a reminder to the parents of the need to begin letting go, putting
them on notice that their baby is growing up. It is an early warning signal
of the need to gently begin to let go.
