A Bar Mitzvah (Aramaic: ben mitzvah) is a Jewish boy who has reached the age of 13 and becomes halachically obligated to perform a mitzvah on his own, no longer relying on his parents’ responsibility. A Jewish girl becomes a Bat Mitzvah at the age of 12. The term “Bar Mitzvah” also refers to the ceremony celebrating the boy’s 13th birthday. It is customary for the boy to read from the Torah and for his father to declare, “Blessed be I spared you from this one’s punishment.” Today, Bar Mitzvahs are celebrated with great solemnity in the presence of family and friends.
The Source of the Law
There is no explicit source in the Bible that mandates a boy to undertake a mitzvah at the age of 13. The Bible specifies the age of 20 as the determining age for matters related to community responsibilities and public positions, such as military service and temple duties. However, the age of 13 as a mitzvah age was determined by some Rishonim, based on tradition or halachah from Moses at Sinai.
The age of 13 is mentioned in the Mishnah, Tractate Avot: “thirteen years old for the mitzvah,” although many believe this Mishnah is not part of the original tractate. Some have found clues in Midrash Bereishit Rabbah, suggesting that the age of Shimon and Levi at the time of the Nablus and Dinah incident was 13, thus connecting it to the age of mitzvah.
The Age of Mitzvah
Before the age of 13, a boy is considered small and exempt from mitzvot. However, from the age of education (around 6-7 years), the obligation of mitzvot is imposed on his parents. According to halachah, the age of 13 is not sufficient alone; physical maturity (evidenced by the growth of two pubic hairs) is also required. The Rambam writes about this concerning the obligation of fasting on Yom Kippur. Nonetheless, the Talmud assumes physical maturity is likely achieved by 13.
Bar Mitzvah Ceremony
The History
Historically, Jewish boys and girls were gradually introduced to mitzvot according to their capabilities. The custom of celebrating a Bar Mitzvah with a ceremony began in Babylon during the period of the Geonim and spread to Europe in the 11th century. By the 13th century, celebrations including new clothes and a festive meal were mentioned.
Modern Customs
Today, the Bar Mitzvah ceremony is divided into three parts: the tefillin ceremony, the aliyah to the Torah, and the Shabbat celebration. The tefillin ceremony occurs on a weekday before the Bar Mitzvah, marking the boy’s obligation to wear tefillin. The aliyah to the Torah happens on a Monday or Thursday after the boy’s birthday, where he reads from the Torah.
On Shabbat, the boy may read the Torah portion or the haftarah. In many communities, it is customary for candy to be thrown at the boy after his reading. After the Torah reading, the father recites a blessing, “Blessed be He who has freed me from the punishment of this one,” acknowledging the son’s new responsibilities.
The Sermon
In many communities, the Bar Mitzvah boy delivers a sermon, known as a peshetal. Preparing this sermon is part of the Bar Mitzvah preparations. In ultra-Orthodox communities, the audience may sing loudly during the sermon, a tradition meant to prevent embarrassment for boys who struggle with public speaking.
Bar Mitzvah in Secular Society
The Bar Mitzvah ceremony has remained largely unchanged even in secular Jewish communities, designed to reinforce Jewish identity. In Israel, some communities dedicate the entire 7th grade year to preparing for the Bar Mitzvah, involving tasks that demonstrate responsibility and maturity. Some families choose to celebrate in Reform or Conservative synagogues, or opt for a secular celebration focusing on family and cultural values.
The Bar Mitzvah remains a significant family event, reflecting the shared joy and responsibilities of entering Jewish adulthood.