The Bar Mitzvah ceremony marks the beginning of a lifelong obligation to study Judaism's beliefs and practices, and obey its laws. Bar mitzvah is a bridge from childhood to accountability. |
The service is in five basic parts. The introductory section includes prayers, songs of praise, meditations and readings. This section concludes with a Reader's Kaddish; a Kaddish is a prayer that praises God. The next section starts with the Barchu--a call to worship--followed by two blessings that acknowledge God as Creator and the gift of Torah as proof that God loves us. All of this leads up to the recitation of the Shema, the prayer that is so central to Jewish life that it's typically the first prayer taught to children and the last one a Jew will speak before dying. Shema means "hear" in Hebrew. This section of the service ends with Mi Chamocha recalling God as Israel's Redeemer. This is one of many songs found in the Torah and recounts how God parted the Red Sea for Israel and then let it close over the pursuing Egyptians. This is the section of the Torah called Beshalach. Next in the service are the prayers of the traditional daily liturgy. They express our thanks to God and recognize that He is the source of peace. Next come the prayers and rituals surrounding the reading of the Torah. A family member or the clergy open the Holy Ark--a cabinet-like structure usually front and center in the sanctuary---and bring forth the Torah scroll. Some synagogues then have a Torah procession during which the Torah is carried throughout the sanctuary for all to touch (Most people will take their prayer books, touch the Torah scroll with it and then bring the prayer books to their lips). Once the Torah is back on the Bimah---the very center of the sanctuary where the clergy stand---, it is opened and positioned for the reading. Various people will be called to the Bimah to read from the Torah. The bar mitzvah will be one of many people to read from the Torah. Following the Torah portion, the bar mitzvah will read from the Haftorah portion, and then give a speech discussing the meaning of the portion. Parents also may give a short speech about their child. Finally, it's the concluding prayers. These include Aleinu, a special prayer that reminds Jews of their unique destiny and looks ahead to the coming of the Messiah and a time of perfect peace. The service concludes with the Mourner's Kaddish, a prayer for mourners to say but one that gives thanks for life and extols the goodness of life. There is usually a closing hymn. |
