B’nai Mitzvah is the plural of Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This life event marks the promotion of a child onto the path of adulthood as a “Son of the Commandment,” Bar Mitzvah or “Daughter of the Commandment,” Bat Mitzvah. Jewish tradition says that when children turn 13, they take on the responsibilities B’nah Mitzvah is the plural of Bar Mitzvah which means “Son of the Commandment” and Bat Mitzvah means “Daughter of the Commandment.” Under Jewish Law, children are not obligated to observe the commandments, although they are encouraged to do so. Jewish tradition says that when children turn 13, they take on the responsibilities in the community.
This ceremony formally marks the assumption of obligations and rights to take part in leading the religious services, to generally to be an active member of the Jewish community, and be a more responsible citizen in the larger world.
The ceremony requires study and discipline on the part of the child.
- Learning enough Hebrew to read from the Torah
- Master enough Jewish history and law to understand the context of what they’re reading.
- Attend a required number of services during the year leading up to their B’nai Mitzvah.
- Take classes and/or work one-on-one with their rabbi, teacher, or tutor focusing on their portion of the Torah, to learn the Hebrew and trope (the traditional “melodies”), the meaning of the prayers, and the relevance of his Torah portion to the world long ago and to today. In addition, there is usually a “mitzvah project” which the child undertakes to demonstrate the gratitude he feels for his life’s blessings, fulfilling the mitzvah “Tikkun Olam” — the religious obligation to repair the world.
