Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs

Many people outside the Jewish faith are familiar with Bar Mitzvahs – but most people outside the Jewish faith are only aware that a Bar Mitzvah refers to the very special religious ceremony, and the festivities, for a Jewish boy approaching his adulthood.

Fewer people outside the Jewish faith are familiar with Bat Mitzvahs (otherwise known as Bath Mitzvahs). These are the very special religious ceremonies, and the festivities, for Jewish girls approaching their adulthood – as well as referring to the actual girl herself. She will become a Bat Mitzvah at the age of twelve years.

What are Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs in relation to religious ceremonies and festivities?

In a nutshell, Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs are the very highly regarded events which take place within Jewish families. It is the time when sons and daughters attain a certain age, usually thirteen for boys and twelve for girls. The religious ceremony relates to the child’s religious responsibilities. The festivities are held in recognition of the Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah Ceremony.

It is customary for attendees to the festivities to provide a gift. Nowadays, anything is appropriate to be presented as Bar Mitzvah gifts or Bat Mitzvah gifts.

The phrases “Bar Mitzvah” and “Bat Mitzvah” respectively mean: son of the commandment and daughter of the commandment.

Originally, there were no religious ceremonies and no festivities. The Bar Mitzvah, or Bat Mitzvah, was purely the son of a Jewish family, or daughter of a Jewish family, arriving at the appropriate age to follow the commandments.

Alternative ways of spelling:

barmitzvah, bar-mitzvah, batmitzvah, bat-mitzvah, bathmitzvah, bath-mitzvah .

Sometimes, all the above commence with capital letters as well as “Bar Mitzvah”, “Bat Mitzvah” and “Bath Mitzvah”.