| The Bar Mitzvah Party is held as part of the | | | | but as Judaism developed these tests changed |
| celebration of a young Jewish boy turning thirteen | | | | over to spiritual ones. Now a boy usually must |
| and symbolically becoming a man. In past times | | | | memorize and read aloud a passage of the Torah |
| he literally took on the burdens and responsibilities | | | | in Hebrew in front of his friends, family and other |
| of manhood, so this was a very important and | | | | members of the synagogue where he is having |
| also somewhat nerve-wracking time. Bar Mitzvah | | | | his Bar Mitzvah celebration. However in earlier |
| means 'son of commandment.' In Judaism every | | | | times the boy would simply go to his Rabbi on his |
| day life is closely related to religious practices and | | | | thirteenth birthday to be blessed, and to pray |
| as part of becoming an adult the boy is also | | | | with him. After that date it was expected that |
| accepting his religious and moral responsibilities. As | | | | the boy now turned man would follow the Ten |
| a man he will take responsibilities for his actions | | | | Commandments. |
| and try to lead his life by the guiding principles of | | | | Now we have a great party as well as the |
| the Ten Commandments. These are a set of | | | | religious ceremony. Usually the party is held on the |
| rules used in Judeo-Christian religions to help lead | | | | nearest Sabbath or Saturday to the boy's |
| an appropriate, morally responsible life. | | | | thirteenth birthday. There will be lots of food at a |
| The Bar Mitzvah celebration appears to have | | | | kind of reception after the ceremony. Parents |
| started in an early form long before Judaism | | | | may also hire a DJ or live music for the guests to |
| existed as a way for boys to officially come of | | | | dance and often the young man will receive |
| age. These very early coming of age ceremonies | | | | special gifts help him on his way in manhood. |
| probably consisted of physical tests of manhood, | | | | |