Bar Mitzvah

Bar Mitzvah is from the Hebrew, literally meaning SON OF COMMANDMENT.

Bar Mitzvah means UNDER OBLIGATION (to observe the law) (Alcalay, R. The Complete Hebrew English Dictionary. Jerusalem: Massada. 283).

At the age of 13 one becomes subject to the commandments (Avot 5:21).

When a vow is made by someone age 13 or above, it is a valid vow (JT Yerushalmi Niddah 5:6).

Talmud teaches that when one comes of age one must fast on Yom Kippur. This obligation is required only of adults (Ketubah 50a)

It is not necessary to have a Bar Mitzvah celebration to BE a Bar Mitzvah. The obligations and responsibilities become a man's when he reaches 13 with or without a formal ceremony. Megilla 23a states that even a minor may lay tefillin. In fact (Sukkah 42a teaches that “if a minor know how to wrap himself in the tallit he is subject to the obligation.”


Bat Mitzvah is the time when a boy passes to manhood in the eyes of the community. He is thus allowed to participate in various rituals associated with full membership in the community such as ALIYAH - being called to recite the blessing over the Torah; laying tefillin - worn every weekday morning during services; being counted as one to make up a Minyan - the quorum necessary for community prayer.

The Hebrew Letters featured in this piece are Beit Resh - BAR; and Mem Tsade Vav Hey - MITZVAH.