| Originally, Bar Mitzvah (translated: man of the | | | | homes, and in some strict sects, there is no |
| commandment) signified the coming of age of | | | | celebration outside the synagogue. |
| Jewish males, in which they had gained the age of | | | | Larger cities have catering and party services |
| accountability, a time when he was responsible for | | | | who do all the work for the Bar Mitzvah, including |
| his own actions. In Biblical times, the age of | | | | supervision. If these services are available, a great |
| twenty signified the coming of age, but in | | | | hall is normally rented, and the guests all bring |
| Talmudic times, the age changed to thirteen, and | | | | gifts for the one who has attained Bar Mitzvah. |
| in recognition of the son's change in status, | | | | Often these are not co-ed parties, but |
| instead of the modern celebratory bar mitzvah, | | | | occasionally they are. In coed parties, music is |
| the father said a simple blessing praising God, | | | | supplied by a DJ, there are lights, dancing, party |
| because he was no longer responsible for anything | | | | food, drinks, and revelry. One particularly fun idea |
| his son might do. At bar mitzvah, the Jewish male | | | | for Bar Mitzvah is a sports theme. Tables can be |
| can participate fully in his religion, and be held | | | | decorated in a sports motif, and games like Nerf |
| responsible for following the dictates of the Jewish | | | | basketball, baseball, and football can be set up. If |
| faith. Bar Mitzvah is the symbolic rite of passage | | | | the weather is pleasant, the celebration can be |
| from being a child, to being an adult, and fully | | | | outdoors, and real games of basketball, softball, |
| participating in the adult facets of Judaism, laying | | | | and touch football can be organized. The |
| tifillin, and being called up for the reading of the | | | | basketballs, softballs, bats, and footballs can be |
| Torah. | | | | personalized, and each of the youthful guests can |
| Traditionally, the celebration begins during a | | | | take one home as a party favor. For a Jewish |
| service, in the synagogue, followed by a | | | | youth, becoming a Bar Mitzvah is a rite of |
| celebration dinner with family and friends. Many | | | | passage like no other, and no matter how simple |
| Jewish families then throw a party to celebrate | | | | or elaborate the celebration, it is the religious |
| Bar Mitzvah. Some travel to the Holy Lands, | | | | implications are life altering. |
| some have festive celebrations in clubs, or in their | | | | |