Bar & Bat Mitzvah: A Path to Spiritual Maturity

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1 Bar & Bat Mitzvah: A Path to Spiritual Maturity By: Nina Cevallos and Daniela Melani Photo courtesy of: The Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. Thirteen year old Jewish boy reciting from the original handwritten Torah in his bar mitzvah held at a local synagogue. He is wearing a kippah on his head and a Tallit on his shoulders, which are both examples of traditional Jewish body adornments.

2 Meaning of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Spiritual Maturity The Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a very common Jewish ritual celebrated to mark a child s transition into adulthood, as well as their reaching of spiritual maturity. The term Bar/Bat Mitzvah not only refers to the ceremony, but also to the child that is performing this ritual. Bar Mitzvah is an Aramaic phrase that translates into son of the commandment, whereas Bat Mitzvah means daughter of the commandment in both Aramaic and Hebrew, which are known as the languages of the Jewish. This ceremony is one of the most well known coming of age rites of passage rituals in the world, due to its uniqueness and the cultural and religious exploration involved. It is a recognition that an individual has reached spiritual maturity at the age 12 for girls and 13 for boys, since that was considered the age of marriage in Eastern countries in the past. When a youth finally has the possibility to get married and become the leader of a household, it is logical for them to be inducted to the community as adults. During this ritual, the child asks God for spiritual acceptance into the divine world. This ceremony shows that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah has finally reached spiritual maturity, which is the ability to experience the depth and complexity of life. According to Kabbalistic beliefs, an individual s soul has several levels. They believe that a new level of soul ignites when a child

3 has a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This new level is called neshama, and it causes the individual to fully develop in the aspects of morality and sensitivity. The Bar Mitzvah not only ignites the voice of the soul, but it also shows that the child is ready to be part of the Jewish community and follow the religious percepts. Following the Commandments According to Jewish law when an individual conducts the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, he/she is no longer considered a child and is therefore responsible for following all of the Jewish commandments. There are a total of 613 commandments and their purpose is to guide Jews and keep them focused on what is important. The individual has to take full responsibility for his/her actions, which after the Bar/Bat Mitzvah are considered more important. This is because now the individual is required to follow the commandments, instead of performing them voluntarily. The Talmud states that a commandment that is done because the individual is required is stronger than one done voluntarily. An individual manages to overcome the natural aversion that comes when one has to complete an obligation, which is a symbol of maturity. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrates entering the stage of obligation and maturity.

4 Image courtesy of: Tori Avey. Although the religion of Judaism has many commandments, this image shows the 10 essential commandments, that all Jews should live by, written in Hebrew. Despite being originally written in Hebrew (as shown in the image), they have been translated into various other languages over the years. They translate to (in order): I am the Lord thy god, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.; Thou shalt have no other gods before Me; Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy; Honor thy father and thy mother; Thou shalt not murder; Thou shalt not commit adultery; Thou shalt not steal; Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor; Thou shalt not covet anything that belongs to thy neighbor. How the Ritual Works Participants Although the main person involved in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is the child that is performing the ceremony, many other people are part of the process. The parents give emotional and spiritual guidance to make the individual comprehend the religion in more depth. Not only does

5 the family play a huge role in this ritual, but the whole Jewish community helps the child during the process by educating, preparing and giving guidance to the individual. Although Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are usually done when the individual is a child, it is never too late to have one. Several congregations around the world have programs for adults that have not yet had their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. As a result, several rabbis across the United States have claimed performing at least one Bar/Bat Mitzvah for an adult. Separation The separation stage of this rites of passage ritual is the process of preparing for the ceremony. Prior to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, several years of religious studying is required. The children usually have classes once a week for two years called Talmud Torah, where they learn about Jewish history, study the Torah and learn how to lead worship. Most synagogues encourage boys and girls to be a part of a mitzvah project before their ceremony, since they apply what they learned in their classes about Judaism, in real life to make a difference in their community. Parents help during the preparation process by giving spiritual guidance, praying and learning the jewish chants with their child. Boys have a ceremony a week before the Bar Mitzvah where they wear the tefillin, an important holy artifact, for the first time.

6 Photo courtesy of: The Emanuel Synagogue. Young boy photographed during his classes while preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. You can see several books on the table that talk about Jewish history, among other topics related to the religion. They are both wearing Kippahs on their heads, which are traditional skullcaps that most Jews wear at all times. Transition Furthermore, the transition stage is when the child performs the sequence of acts that make up a Bar Mitzvah. Even though there are certain things that have to be done during a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the ceremony is different for every child. Depending on their congregation, boys and girls have the option to either conduct all or parts of the rites of passage ritual.

7 However, there are certain things that most children are required to do during the service. Firstly, they usually read or chant the Br achot, which are Hebrew scriptures and blessings. Then, they read a section of the Haftarah, which are a group of passages from books written by important Jewish prophets. After this, the child is called up to read from the Torah, which is known as the aliyah. This is a very important part of the ceremony since it is the first time the child reads from the original Torah. The Torah is a religious scroll made up of the five books of Moses. It that has 54 portions that follow a cycle, where one is read in every synagogue service. Everyone in the synagogue must stand up at this point of the ceremony to show respect toward the religion and toward the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The Torah is taken from the holy ark, which is where it is usually placed, and carried to the bima, where the child then reads from it. Usually, in this part of the ceremony the family members and closest friends accompany the child to the stage. In the stage, they light up one candle for each person. After the child reads from the Torah, the father recites a meaningful blessing: "Blessed is He who has freed me from responsibility for this b oy." Immediately after this there is a small celebration done inside the synagogue. For example, in most Bar/Bat Mitzvahs in Chile, it is a tradition for the child to walk around the synagogue after reading from the Torah, as the other guests, such as family members and friends, throw candy at the individual. This tradition doesn t have a religious meaning, it is simply a fun way to celebrate. After this small celebration, the ceremony resumes and the child usually reads another portion from the Haftorah. The ceremony then ends with a sermon delivered by the individual about the Torah portion that was read and

8 what he/she learned in the experience. This sermon shows how committed the individual is to Judaism. Photo courtesy of: Fountain of Life. This is a picture of The Torah, the Jewish holy book, which is also known as the central reference for all traditions and stories that take a place in Judaism. The bar/bat mitzvah reads and recites passages from The Torah during their coming of age ceremony. Incorporation A party takes place after the ceremony, where the incorporation of the child into the religion as an adult is celebrated. Although the party is mainly dictated by the customs of the congregation, the family does have a say in how they want to do it. Therefore, all parties are very unique, and some have more Jewish traditions than others. Some families include Israeli singing

9 and dancing, while others prefer more modern music and dances. A traditional custom that most families do is that they lift the Bar/Bat Mitzvah in a chair as the family members and friends dance around them to traditional Hebrew music. This is called The Hora, and although it does not have any religious significance, it is a fun way to celebrate the child s coming of age. These ceremonies are usually full of joy and happiness since they are celebrating a very important phase in the child s life. During the party, the families usually do the Shabbat, which is an important Jewish ritual. The Shabbat is a day full of peace that starts Friday at sunset and finishes Saturday evening, after nightfall. Shabbat includes rituals, such as lighting up candles, eating two loaves of bread and drinking wine, which are usually done during the after party of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. All of these customs come with important prayers that emphasize the ten commandments. During Shabbat, Jews are forbidden of doing a total of 39 acts. Since all these acts have subcategories and are interpreted differently depending on the congregation, not every Jew always follows each one. However, common acts that are forbidden during Shabbat are cooking and using technology. Another act that isn t allowed is driving, which is why most Jews have a synagogue close to their homes. After the party, the child usually feels more integrated to the Jewish community and has a higher and deeper connection with God. T he individual now has the obligation to follow the Jewish laws. To add on, once a child has the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, he/she is allowed to be counted in a minyan, which is the recitation of scriptures and prayers during a service. Also, the individual is now allowed to be called up to read from the Torah in special occasions.

10 Photo courtesy of: Get Shabbat. This image shows a Jewish family enjoying their Shabbat dinner. At the front of the photo you can find a Challah (which is a traditional Jewish bread) with raisins. There are short books on top of some plates, which are most likely used for prayers that will be recited at the dinner table. Characteristics of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Ritual Religious Devotion This ceremony is based on religion. Only people who practice Judaism celebrate Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and all of its procedures are religion related. Part of the ceremony takes place in a

11 Synagogue, which is the place where Jews worship. Throughout this ritual, the child recites various prayers, as well as singing religious songs accompanied by their friends and family. Sacrifice Nowadays, there are no materialistic sacrifices involved in Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, instead there is a more sentimental sacrifice. When a 12 or 13 year old boy or girl takes on this ceremony, they are sacrificing their innocence and childhood. The Jewish people used to sacrifice living organisms occasionally in the past, however they are not accustomed to it now. Arts (music, visual arts, dance) As mentioned above, there is music involved throughout the ceremony, since there are religious songs recited by the people present. The child chants several religious scriptures in Hebrew during the ceremony, and many different tunes are played during the after party, according to the person s preference. One of the most popular Jewish songs is the Hava Nagila. This song s name translates into Let s Rejoice, and it is commonly recognized due to its uplifting sound, and the fact that it has been recorded by countless artists, such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond. In addition to music, there are many religious and fun dances performed during the after party of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The people present usually gather in the dance floor to make a circle and dance around the individual. This shows that the guests are acknowledging the maturity and coming of age of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Also, a Jewish tradition performed during the after party is The Hora, which consists of the bar/bat mitzvah being lifted whilst sitting in a chair, and all the guests singing and dancing to Jewish uplifting songs.

12 Life Cycle The purpose of this ritual is to transition from childhood to adulthood. Bar/Bat Mitzvahs are celebrating a new stage in a Jew's life, going from an innocent and dependent child, to an independent adult. They will now be considered more responsible and their life choices will be trusted and respected. Also, after this ceremony the individual is now obligated to take full responsibility for his/her actions and to follow all of the 613 commandments. Relationships Throughout this process, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah mainly strengthens his/her relationship with God, with parents and with the soul. The individual wants to be accepted by God into the divine world and wants to show Him that he/she is ready to embark in this new stage of life. In addition, the individual wants to improve his/her relationship with parents by showing them that he/she has finally reached maturity. Lastly, the individual now reaches a deeper and more religious relationship with his/her soul. Petition This ceremony is meant to publicly recognize a young individual s transition into adulthood. The individual seeks acceptance into the Jewish community as a responsible adult, and is trying to prove to God that he/she is worthy of following Judaism, and is ready to take on the next stage of the religious life. After this ceremony, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah feels spiritually changed, and is now accepted into the Jewish community as an adult.

13 Photo Courtesy of: ZVI Jalfin Photography, a very well known photography company that are known for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah photographs. This image shows a girl during her Bat Mitzvah celebratory party performing The Hora, a Jewish tradition that consists of the bar/bat mitzvah being lifted whilst sitting in a chair, and all guests singing and dancing to Jewish uplifting songs. Evolution of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah The origins of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah are unclear, since there is no information in the Torah, the Jewish religious text, on how these rites of passage came to be. However, there is information regarding how the Bar/Bat Mitzvah was celebrated during the Middle Ages.

14 Bar Mitzvah Evolution The Bar Mitzvah is a ceremony that was celebrated historically earlier than the Bat Mitzvah. In the past, the ceremony was a way to recognize the religious status of the children publicly. Even if the child decided not to have a ceremony, the day of a Jewish boy s 13th birthday marked the start of a new phase of his life. He was finally considered a man and was officially required to follow the Jewish laws. Certain aspects of the modern Bar Mitzvah began to develop by the 6th century C.E, however it has evolved and dramatically changed over time. There was even a time in the 1800s that Reform Judaism prohibited the Bar Mitzvah, and instead favored confirmation for both girls and boys. It wasn t until the Middle Ages that the ritual developed into how it is currently. The tradition of calling a boy during his Bar Mitzvah up to the Torah became an important part of the ceremony during the 13th or 14th century. This was the way that Jews marked the entrance of a boy into adulthood. The Bar Mitzvah that was conducted during the Middle Ages has certain similarities to the one that is celebrated modernly, especially in the aspect of how the ceremony is conducted. During the 13th century, the ceremony would begin by calling the boy up to the Torah and chanting the blessings from the Torah portion that was recited that week. Then, the boy s father would state a meaningful phrase: "Blessed is He who has freed me from responsibility for this boy." The ceremony would continue by a scholarly lecture conducted by the boy about a certain section of the Talmud, which is the basic book of Jewish law. The Bar Mitzvah would then end with a special celebration that the boy s families and friends would attend. In some cases, the whole Jewish community would go to the gala feast.

15 Photo courtesy of: Wikipedia/Wikimedia. This painting was made by Oscar Rex, who was an Austrian painter who lived from This shows an old school Bar Mitzvah, which took place before cameras became popular. The young boy is wearing a Tallit, and holding a rolled paper that resembles The Torah. There are rabbis surrounding the boy that are probably lecturing him on the religion and preparing him for the ceremony. Bat Mitzvah Evolution During the second or third century C.E, girls did not have to follow as many commandments as boys. Presently, liberal jews believe in the equality of women in the aspects

16 of religious obligations and rights. The first characteristics of the modern Bat Mitzvah began to appear during the 19th century. The families began to have a seudat mitzvah, which is a festive meal celebrating a mitzvah (commandment), when girls turned 12. This ceremony consisted of the father narrating the Baruch Sheptarani, the parent s blessing, and the girl giving a sermon about the religion. This was the beginning of what is now commonly known as the Bat Mitzvah. Judith Kaplan was the first girl ever to have a Bat Mitzvah. This took place in 1921 in North America. Soon after this, Reform Judaism began to celebrate this ritual, followed by conservative congregations that adopted this ritual in a different form. After Party Evolution The after party of the Bar/ Bat Mitzvah originates from the s udat mitzvah, which is a celebratory meal conducted after a mitzvah, that began during the Middle Ages. However, during the 13th century, Jews became concerned that the feasts were simply a way to show off to the community one s wealth and possessions. This caused the ceremony to become ostentatious, therefore people forgot about the religious aspect that was behind it. Consequently, the congregation decided to authorize certain measures that limited the size of these meals, such as taxes, guidelines, and formal legislation.

17 Geographical Location Photo courtesy of: Daily Chart, The Economist. This is a world map showing the population of Jews worldwide until It shows that the United States and Israel are the countries with the biggest Jewish Population, yet they aren t the only ones. Traveling to Israel for the Bar/ Bat Mitzvah Judaism began in Israel, yet it is now practiced all around the world. As a result, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs are celebrated in many different countries. The vast majority of the Jewish population is located in Israel and the United states, with about 5.2 million Jews in the United States and 5.7 million in Israel. One can also find a wide population of Jews in countries such as France, Great Britain, Canada, Argentina and Brazil. Bar and Bat Mitzvahs usually take place in the Synagogue, since Jews believe that s where they have the strongest connection with God. They think that it is the most appropriate

18 and meaningful place to conduct the ceremony. However, certain Jewish families have made the decision to go to Israel to hold their simcha, which is a word used by Jews that represents a festive occasion, such as the celebratory after party of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah. They believe that traveling to Israel to conduct the ceremony is a more meaningful and spiritual experience, however if that is not possible, traveling before or after the ceremony is also valued. These families usually go to the Western Wall, an ancient wall located in Jerusalem, or to the top of the Masada, an ancient fortress in the Southern part of Israel. Despite the location they decide to have the Bar/Bat Mitzvah in, the families always have a say in how it is conducted, according to their religious affiliation. Although this limits the amount of friends and family who can go, it is considered a very powerful and meaningful religious experience. Having the Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Israel can lead to an unbreakable link between the child and the religion. There are many companies that offer help with the planning of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, such as The Israel Ministry of Tourism. The Israel Ministry of Tourism encourages Jews to conduct their bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies there. In fact, in their website they state, No one belongs here more than you. Even though the procedure is more or less the same, this journey provides the children with a once in a lifetime experience that lets them explore their Jewish heritage, which is why many families choose to take on this tour. Jews believe that if they travel to Israel, they are showing their faith toward the religion in a more powerful way, and the trip makes deeper connections between the child and the divine. Before the ceremony, a rabbi in Israel is usually assigned to the child to help him/her plan and conduct the ceremony. The rabbi plans which Torah portion the child will be reading and

19 which sections the individual needs to study according to the date of the trip. At the end of this trip, the Israel Ministry of Tourism provides the child with a certificate that states they have successfully conducted their Bar/Bat Mitzvah in the Jewish State. Jewish State Photo courtesy of: MidEast Web. This is a map of The Jewish State, the country of Israel. This map also features the country s main cities (such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv), as well as its geographical surroundings. Children are encouraged to have their Bar Mitzvahs in Israel, since it is considered the Jewish State and the home of the Jews. Israel is a Middle Eastern country located on the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital city is Jerusalem, a well known city where Jews, Christians and

20 Muslims go to worship and pilgrimage. Israel is governed by a parliamentary system, which is a type of democratic government where the legislative branch is the most preminent. Religion in Israel plays a huge role in shaping the country s culture and it has had huge effects on the history of the state. The Declaration of Independence of 1948 recognized Israel as the home of the Jews and named it the Jewish and Democratic State. According to the Pew Research Center, Israel is known as one of the countries with the highest religious restrictions. Israel has several laws that benefit Jews and reflect Jewish values. For example, weddings that aren t religious cannot be performed in the state, and importing non kosher food to Israel is illegal. Israel is known as the country with the highest population of Jews; about 75% of the population of Israel is Jewish. Most of the population considers themselves traditional Jews, since they have ancestors that practiced Judaism, however they do not necessarily practice the religion. To add on, there is a huge controversy on whether Israel should be a secular state, since non jews living in Israel do not agree with certain laws, while Jews living in Israel believe that these laws are essential and are a part of Israel s culture. Most Israeli Arabs, about two thirds, think that it is impossible for Israel to be both democratic and Jewish, whereas three quarters of Israeli Jews disagree with that idea. Although Israel has no legitimate religion, the definition of the country as Jewish builds both a bond and a conflict between the religious laws and state s laws.

21 Photo courtesy of: Times of Israel. A group of Jewish boys and men waving the Israeli flag, as they celebrate Jerusalem Day, a national holiday.

22 What Judaism Is All About Photo courtesy of: UBMS (Union of British Messianic Judaism) Online. This illustration shows The Star of David, which is widely known as the symbol of Judaism. The Star of David is also featured in Israel s flag. Next to the star, you can find The Menorah. This Menorah highly resembles the Hanukkah (one of the most popular Jewish holidays) candle holder, in which one candle is lit every night during the 8 day holiday. However, this is not it, as it only has 7 candle holders. This Menorah was used in Jewish history and it is one of the main symbols/artifacts of Judaism. Judaism The Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a well known rites of passage ritual that marks the coming of age of Jewish kids and is only conducted in Judaism. Judaism is one of the largest religions in the world, with about 14 million followers worldwide. This religion originated in Israel, yet it has expanded across different countries throughout the centuries. Jews are the ones who established

23 the idea that there is only one God who is the creator of our universe. All of their beliefs and principles can be found written in The Torah, the Jewish holy book.there are different levels of Judaism, since there are people who are extremely devoted to the religion, while there are others who celebrate the main Jewish holidays (like Hanukkah), yet aren t completely dedicated to Judaism. Although most Israelis are secular, they still have basic knowledge about the religion and celebrate the Jewish holidays. There are many different types of Judaism. The most well known include Liberal, Reform, and Orthodox Jews. This has sparked the question: What is the difference between theses denominations of Judaism? The answer is simple. Orthodox Judaism followers obey the teachings and scriptures of ancient Judaism in a stricter way than the other denominations. Liberal Judaism aims to combine the positive things of ancient Judaism with modern society s beliefs. Lastly, Reform Judaism is very similar to Liberal Judaism. This denomination attempts to go forward with Judaism, yet abandoning some old school aspects written in The Torah, to settle for a more modern approach to its ideas, contrary to Orthodox Judaism. Conservative and Reform movements are stronger in the United States than in Israel, whereas the Orthodox movement is stronger in Israel and is not as prominent in the United States. Unlike the other branches, the Orthodox movement is further divided into different groups. All these movements differ in their interpretations of the Torah, since some have a deeper understanding than others. As a result, these branches have different beliefs, rituals and customs. When it comes to certain commandments, some movements are more lenient than others. This is

24 why it is very difficult to make a clear definition of a Jew. It is not only a question of religion and philosophy, but political and genealogical characteristics also have to be taken into account. Photo courtesy of: Yale Alumni Magazine. This is a photograph of a group of Jews gathered at the Orchard Street Shul worshipping. This Synagogue, as shown by the flag hanging next to the Israeli flag, is located in the United States. Since it is the symbol of Judaism, the Star of David can be seen all throughout the Synagogue, and the men present are wearing their Kippahs. Jews The word Jew originates from Judah, which is the name of one of Jacob s twelve sons. Jacob was considered the Patriarch of Israelites since he was the third ancestor that made a covenant with God. Jacob assigned the role of king to his son Judah. As a result, one of the

25 main tribes of Israel was named after him, which is how the word Judaism was formed. Judaism literally means Judah ism, which is the religion of Jews. To answer the question who is a jew? one must take several factors into consideration, such as political, religious, cultural and even genealogical aspects. Although the different movements of Judaism all have different definitions of who is considered a Jew, Jewish law recognizes a person Jewish if he/she was born from a Jewish mother or from a parent that has converted into Judaism. This child does not have to perform the religion to be considered a Jew. On the other hand, Reform Judaism considers a child born from either a Jewish mother or a Jewish father, a jew. However, if the child is not raised under the religion, then the child isn t considered a Jew. Orthodox Judaism is much simpler when it comes to this topic. They consider a person Jewish if the mother of the individual is Jewish, regardless if they were raised with the religion or not. Jewish Views on Gender Gender Roles In the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Although both genders partake on the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, there are some differences between both ceremonies. A boy s Bar Mitzvah holds place the week they turn 13. On the other hand, girls participate in a Bat Mitzvah ceremony at age 12, since they are expected to mature faster. Historically, Bar Mitzvahs were developed earlier than Bat Mitzvahs, since gender

26 equality used to be an issue, not only in Judaism, but all over the world. Women did not get as many responsibilities as man did, which is why it wasn t considered important for women to get this celebration. In the second or third century C.E, Jewish girls began to celebrate their Bat Mitzvah and legally took the responsibility of following the Jewish laws at age 12. During this period of history, girls did not have to follow as many commandments as boys. Presently, Liberal Jews believe in the equality of women in the aspects of religious obligations and rights. Clipart courtesy of: Dreamstime. This clipart shows a Jewish young boy and girl, who are seemingly getting ready for their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. They re holding the number which represents their age, which would be 13 for men, and 12 for women.

27 In Judaism Usually the role of women in Judaism is misunderstood, since their influence in Judaism is not as low as most people believe. Women are given a lot of respect in the Jewish religion and culture. Although they are viewed as separate from men in traditional Judaism, they are considered equal to them. Women s obligations differ from men s, however that doesn t mean they are of less importance. Despite this, there are sections in the Talmud where negative aspects about women are mentioned. In Judaism, women are not encouraged to have a high education or to have religious aspirations, however this is mainly because Jews believe that women will not be able to perform their duties as mothers if they pursue other things. Although the women s main role in Judaism is being a mother and wife, they are greatly respected by the community. They have a positive influence on their families and provide spiritual guidance. Due to the spiritual influence that women have, people believe that the child of a Jewish woman and a non jewish man is Jewish, whereas the child of a non Jewish woman and a Jewish father is not. Jews are not afraid that women are not as devoted to Judaism as they should, instead they fear that they become too spiritually devoted. Birth Control When children have their Bar/Bat Mitzvah they now have to follow all 613 commandments. One commandment that is very important and valued in Judaism is one related to birth control. In Orthodox Judaism, there are certain measures that families must follow when thinking of having a child. Within the halacha, the body of Jewish religious laws, there is tolerance on the aspect of family sizes, however adults are obligated to have at least one boy and

28 one girl. Even though Orthodox Judaism encourages families to be larger than the minimum, and there is a commandment that requires Jews to have at least two children, the use of contraceptive measures is allowed in certain extreme situations. Orthodox Jews usually have larger families than other Jews since they don t completely allow the use of contraceptives. Usually Orthodox Jews get married at a younger age and have double the amount of children that other Jews have. Orthodox Jews have an average of 4.1 children, whereas other Jews have only 1.7. Only 9% of non Orthodox Jewish parents have four or more children, whereas 48% of the Orthodox Jews have that amount of children. In Orthodox Judaism, prevention of pregnancy goes against the commandment of the Torah: be fruitful and multiply. However, the Talmud does suggest the option of contraceptives by mentioning the use of a medical device that is placed inside the vagina, called a pessary. In fact, the Midrash of Genesis states: In the early time of creation, in the time of Lemech, a medicine was known, the taking of which prevented a woman's conception." To add on, the Talmud mentions that women who are already pregnant or are too young to be pregnant can use a device, such as the pessary, to prevent pregnancy. As a result, some institutions do allow the use of contraceptives in cases where the pregnancy harms the women. In these situations, the use of a more natural contraceptive is preferred, such as the pill, instead of something that creates a physical barrier, like a condom. Women may decide to use birth control to abstain from sex, however men cannot say no to sexual intercourse if their wives are not in the niddah, which is a term that stands for a woman

29 who is menstruating. Orthodox Jews believe that contraceptives that lead to male sterility should not be allowed, and that in some extreme cases women may have to separate from their husband if he is sterilized. If Jewish couples are considering the use of contraceptives, they must first ask for their rabbi s opinion to see what method is preferable and if there is actually a need for them. Photo courtesy of: The Times of Israel. This photograph shows an Orthodox Jewish family of 12. Notice that the women are wearing their skirts/pants up to their knees or lower, and the men/boys are wearing kippahs.

30 Jewish Traditions Special Foods Jewish law strictly prohibits their followers from consuming certain types of foods, such as pork, certain seafoods and food where the blood was not removed. Jews follow a kosher diet, which also includes the restriction of the mixture between dairy products and meats. Although there are no required food items that need to be included in a Bar/Bat Mitzvah s menu, it is recommended for families to have Jewish traditional food, so that the guests can further explore the religion. Some commonly served foods include hummus, rugelach, potato knishes, falafel, challah, matzo soup, amongst many others. Images courtesy of (from left to right): Falafel, Wikimedia; Hummus, Grappler Gourmet; Rugelach, Oh Nuts; Knishes, Joe Pastry; Challah, New York Serious Eats; Matzo Soup, Tablespoon. These are six examples of traditional Jewish foods that are served during the after party of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

31 Traditional Wardrobe and Important Body Adornments Images courtesy of (from left to right): Tefillin, Judaica Guide; Tallit, The Shofar Man; Tzitzit, Anne s Coffee Break; Kippah, Judaica Webstore. These are the four examples of Jewish traditional wardrobe that are explained below. A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a semi formal ceremony. This means that the guests must be dressed with elegance, yet still making sure the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is the main focus of the whole ceremony. The individual having this ceremony typically dresses with a suit or a dress. However,

32 there are some special items of clothing worn by the child and other people involved while the ceremony takes place in the synagogue, such as the Tefillin, Tallit and Kippah. Symbolic Colors The main symbolic color in Judaism is blue, which is why most traditional clothes are of this color. Blue is used to represent divinity, since it is the color of the sea and the sky. Some also believe that it represents equilibrium, since its shade is between white and black. It is also considered the color of God s glory. Although blue is the main color, white is also considered symbolic since it one of the colors in the Israeli flag. The blue stripes of the flag represent the ones of the Tallit, which are Jewish prayer ponchos. Tefillin The tefillin is a holy artifact worn around the arm and the head. It consists of two leather boxes attached to leather strings. There are prayers known as the shma, which are four important sections of the Torah, inside the cubic boxes. The first box is placed on the left arm close to the heart, and the leather string is wrapped around the left hand and the middle finger. The second box is put on the head, so that it lays on the brain. As a result, the person wearing the body adornment directs his attention toward the heart, hand and head. This artifact teaches the Jews that it is important to be dedicated to God in everything they feel, do and think. It also gives them the lesson that they should not take decisions based only upon their feelings or only upon reasoning. The tefillin allows the unity of an individual s emotion and intellect. This artifact is worn by men during weekly prayers and is considered one of the most prominent

33 commandments of the Torah. There is a ceremony a week before the Bar Mitzvah where the boys wear the tefillin for the first time. Tallit The tallit is a religious large fringed mantle or poncho that men and boys wear to connect with the divine world. The fringe tassels are known as tzitzit, and their strings symbolize the Torah s 613 mitzvahs, or commandments. Wearing the tallit is also a way to distinguish jews from the rest, making them show their Jewish pride. It is considered of great importance to wear tzitzit during the day since it reminds Jews to follow the commandments at all times. Although it is highly encouraged to do so, it is not necessary unless one is wearing a four cornered piece of clothing. During the ceremony, the rabbi and the individual must both wear the tallit, along with any male that decides to speak, such as the father and brother of the Bar/Bat mitzvah. Kippah The kippah is a small hat or skullcap worn by Jewish men to symbolize that God is always above. They use it to respect god and acknowledge that he is superior than men. Jews also believe that wearing the kippah shows that they re proud to be Jewish, which is a way to show their faith. Presently, there are different colored kippahs with different symbols that represent what type of Jew you are. Although there is a controversy about whether the use of the kippah is a commandment, there is a section in the Torah that mentions some sort of body adornment is needed to cover the heads of Jews. In the chapter 2 of the Torah it says, One should not walk bare headed (the distance of) four cubits. As a result, Orthodox Jews wear the kippah at all times, while Liberal and Reform Jews think the kippah is optional. Despite this,

34 Liberal and Reform Jews do think it is required to wear it during a ceremony in the synagogue or during prayer. Wearing the kippah is a sign of devotion toward the religion. In the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, all men present in the synagogue, Jewish or not, must wear one as a sign of respect toward the religion. Image courtesy of: Bar and Bat Mitzvah Guide. Jewish boy reciting from the original handwritten Torah placed in the Bima. He is wearing a Kippah on his head and a tallit on his shoulders, which are both examples of traditional Jewish wardrobe. The Israeli flag is hanging on the back wall, to represent that the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a Jewish ritual.

35 Summary As shown in this article, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is considered one of the most important rituals in Judaism. It is a ceremony that inducts both girls and boys into the Jewish community as responsible adults. This milestone helps Jewish individuals reach spiritual maturity, which is the ability to experience the depth and complexity of life independently. This ritual also connects the initiate with God and the divine, since it is a religious ceremony. An individual is expected to obey all of the commandments in Jewish law after he/she has completed this coming of age ritual. In addition, this ritual originated in the Middle Ages and even though several characteristics have changed over time, certain traditions remain the same nowadays. Although this ritual is more prominent in Israel, since it is the Jewish State, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs are celebrated worldwide. The preparation, the ceremony in the synagogue, and the after party celebration are examples of essential components involved in this ceremony. Judaism plays a huge role in this ritual, since this is a religious ceremony that contains several Jewish traditions, such as the reading of the Jewish holy book, the music played, the wardrobe, the dances, and the food served. The Bar/Bat Mitzvah helps Jewish children properly transition from childhood to adulthood by facilitating the individual s ability to adopt their new role in the community. Jewish children transition into this new stage of life with maturity, trust and acceptance. To sum it all up, this rites of passage ritual has prevailed for centuries and will continue to be practiced in the years to come, since it is of great significance to the powerful and united Jewish community.

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