Bar Mitzvah" literally means "son of the commandment." "Bar" is "son" in Aramaic, and “Mitzvah" is "commandment" in both Hebrew and Aramaic. "Bat" is daughter in Hebrew and Aramaic. Technically, the term refers to the child who is coming of age, and it is strictly correct to refer to someone as "becoming a bar (or bat) mitzvah." However, the term is more commonly used to refer to the coming of age ceremony itself, and you are more likely to hear that someone is "having a bar mitzvah."

Under Jewish Law, children are not obligated to observe the commandments, although they are encouraged to do so as much as possible to learn the obligations they will have as adults. At the age of 13 (12 for girls), children become obligated to observe the commandments. The bar mitzvah ceremony formally marks the assumption of that obligation, along with the corresponding right to take part in leading religious services, to count in a minyan. Although no ceremony is needed to confer these rights and obligations, it is now traditional to have a formal ceremony.

B’nai Israel has an active program for Bar and Bat Mitzvah, culminating in an inspirational service for the family and friends of the b’nei mitzvah. This is a wonderful life cycle event not only for family, but is provides the opportunity for the friends of the b’nei mitzvah who are not Jewish to experience the beauty of a Jewish service and celebration.

Complete information is available from Rabbi Goldson.