WHAT IS A BAR MITZVAH?

A Bar Mitzvah is a coming-of-age in Judaism. This ceremony celebrates the transition from childhood to Jewish adulthood, and the obligations and responsibilities that come with it. “Bar Mitzvah" literally means "son of the commandment." "Bar" means "son" in Aramaic and mitzvah in Hebrew means commandment.

According to Jewish tradition, the Torah contains 613 commandments which refer to the Divine Laws given to the Jewish people. These Divine Laws are in essence the guideline and framework by which the Jewish people live their lives.

 

Here are a few of those:

• Honor the old and the wise.
• Be grateful for the food you eat.
• Maintain integrity in business practices.
• Not to delay payment of a hired man’s wages.
• Help the poor.

According to Jewish law, before a Jewish boy reaches 13 years old the parents are responsible for their child's actions.  Once this boy reaches 13 years old and becomes a bar mitzvah he becomes accountable for his own actions.

 

In common usage, a mitzvah often means “a good deed”—as in “Do a mitzvah and help Mrs. Goldstein with her packages or throw away litter you may find at a park.”  It is said that these mitzvahs grow the goodness and light in our world and ultimately elevates our existence where true fellowship and community abound.