| Bar Mitzvah is both a joyous and solemn religious | | | | full-fledged Jewish adult with joy, and encourages |
| and lifetime milestone in the life of a Jewish male. | | | | the purpose of adding spirituality to their lives. |
| According to Jewish law, the male goes from | | | | At this time the previous exposure to the Torah |
| being a boy of twelve to a man of 13. With the | | | | is heightened, and on the following Shabbat, the |
| Bar Mitzvah, according to Jewish law, a boy | | | | Jewish Sabbath, he will be called to the Torah |
| becomes an adult. Bar Mitzvah actually translates | | | | during morning services at the synagogue to |
| to "son of the commandment" and at this age, | | | | recite the blessing on the Haftorah. Many have |
| can take part in religious ceremonies, observe the | | | | already spent years studying the Torah under the |
| commandments, and to count in a minyan, to | | | | tutelage of scholars, and are able, at this time to |
| form binding contracts, testify before courts, and | | | | read the weekly Torah portion. The Bar Mitzvah |
| marry. This is a solemn, religious ceremonial rite of | | | | celebration is secondary to the changes that are |
| passage of the greatest importance within the | | | | expected to take place in this rite of passage |
| Jewish Faith. | | | | from childhood into adulthood, when they stop |
| The bar mitzvah rite of passage is steeped in | | | | putting themselves and their needs above that of |
| traditions literally going back hundreds of years. | | | | their people, and the kind of person they want to |
| They are typically celebrated with a festive, | | | | become as individuals within the network of their |
| kosher meal, where family and friends share in | | | | faith. |
| the celebration of the bar mitzvah boy's entrance | | | | Lest you think this celebration dull, most parties |
| into adulthood. During the meal, friends and | | | | turn into a teen bash after the adults leave, with |
| relatives give speeches of encouragement to not | | | | live music, dancing, and singing. This is the party of |
| only celebrate the honor of becoming an adult, | | | | a young Jewish male's life. Indeed, the Bar Mitzvah |
| but to impress upon the bar mitzvah boy how | | | | is a celebration of life. |
| important it is that he undertakes his new role of | | | | |