Getting To Know Bat Mitzvah

By Author: Robert Lenoir
Total Articles: 17
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A Bat Mitzvah is one of the few important events in the life of a Jewish girl. When she reaches the tender age of twelve, she becomes a bat mitzvah and considered as a full-grown woman.
Bar / Bat mitzvah is practiced by Jewish girls and boys. "Bar" is literally translated as "son" and "Bat" refers to "daughters", meanwhile "Mitzvah" means "of the commandments". Loosely translated, bat mitzvah means daughter of the commandments. This means, when Jewish boys and girls reach their age of maturity, they will turn into bat / bar mitzvah. When this time arrives, they become liable for their own actions and have the responsibility for Jewish ritual law, tradition and ethics. In Jewish law, they are already considered as adults.
Aside from being held responsible for her own actions, other responsibilities and privileges include eligibility to read from the Torah, referring to the Five Books of Moses, Judaism's founding text. She can also be married according to Jewish law as well as follow the rules of Torah. She also now has the privilege of being able to testify in courts. The same goes with boys when they become bar ...
... mitzvah.
Bat mitzvah ceremonies are publicly done and may be compared to a wedding celebration in terms of preparation and expenses. The bat mitzvah celebrant recites a blessing from the Torah, or takes part in the service. Speeches are also required and are normally done by the bat mitzvah and her parents.
After the bat mitzvah israel service, a celebratory meal is shared with family, friends, and people from the neighborhood. Lavish reception is not required but the girl will still become a bat mitzvah as it pertains to the girl's coming of age.
Like any other bat mitzvah israel services, gifts are also given by guests to the celebrant. Normally, religious and educational items are given to the celebrant. Although, monetary gifts have become the norm today and are given in multiplies of 18, because of its numerical equivalent to 'chai', meaning life.
People in different countries also have their own version of bat mitzvah israel celebrations. In the U.S., children who turn 14 are considered adults and can work as part-time as long as it does not interfere with their education. Girls also celebrate their sixteenth birthday lavishly as it marks their 'coming of age'. In Latin American community, quinceañeras is celebrated by girls when they turn fifteen. Still, in other countries, eighteen marks the "coming of age" of the girl, while twenty-one is for the boys.