Questions tagged [bar-bas-bat-mitzvah]

When a person attains adult status according to halacha, and becomes obligated in mitzvot. For boys, it is at age 13 ("bar mitzvah"); for girls, age 12 ("bat/bas mitzvah").

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If a Jew is Bar/bat mitzvah in Hanukkah may they light the menorah [duplicate]

According to Halacha, if a Jew becomes bar/bat mitzvah during the middle of Hanukkah, is it permissible for them to light the menorah candles with a beracha? Or since they weren’t obligated by the ...
Kirk's user avatar
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Kriyat haTorah helper materials

I'm looking for a resource where I could find notes for my Bar Mitzvah parsha (Tazria) along the lines of: in 4th it's always "hee" and never "huu" it's always noga in the middle ...
rudolfovic's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
59 views

Help for a Gentile in quoting Tanach

My daughter has a friend, Abigail, who is about to have her Bat Mitzvah, which unfortunately she can't attend. We wanted to make a gift for her that would make her feel special on this important day ...
Fraser Orr's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
96 views

Origin of the "Bar Mitzvah Drasha"

What is the history of Jewish bar mitzvah boys giving a Drasha/Pshetel? Is this a Minhag?
Truth seeker 's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
130 views

Does a father recite Baruch Shepetarani for an adopted son

According to some Poskim, a father should recite a blessing named Baruch Shepetarani when his son turns bar mitzvah age. My question is, should it be recited if a father adopts a son when that son ...
Kirk's user avatar
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Bar Mitzva Blessing [duplicate]

When a father says for his son ברוך שפטרני מעונשו של זה after his son read from the Torah-roll, he is according to some opinions, not only freeing himself from the punishment of his son's ...
Andres Bruck's user avatar
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1 answer
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Bar mitzva if born bein hashmashos?

If a baby is born in the evening during bein hashmashos (typically considered the time from sunset until 3 stars, but see https://outorah.org/p/47194/) the bris is on the latter day, or if Saturday, ...
Yehuda W's user avatar
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What are parents responsible for if the children can't sin?

If a child under bar/bas mitzvah is not obligated in mitzvos, they should not be able to sin either (can't commit a sin by not-performing/violating something you weren't obligated to perform/refrain-...
user9806's user avatar
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Why Called "Bar Mitzva"

Why is it called Bar MITZVA wouldnt it seem more correct to be called Bar MITZVOS? One might suggest that it refers to being a "Metzuva" I dint think thats correct if so, it should be a bar ...
user33932's user avatar
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Prussian Jews and tallit gadol

The custom of Jews from Prussia (German Poland) was wear tallit gadol from bar mitzvah or from marriage? And the custom of Ashkenazi Jews from Belgium?
Zeca Szymon Botafogo Worcman's user avatar
8 votes
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Bat mitzvah - I'm female aged 50. Never been taught or had a bat mitzvah

Are any immersion courses available for someone that never had a bat mitzvah...and at age 50 is this feasible?
Chetsiba's user avatar
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Preparation for Bar Mitzvah involved rote learning of pronunciation -- why is/was this?

I would not be surprised if this has changed but afaik, kids prepared for Bat or Bar Mitzvah by memorizing sounds without learning mean whatsoever -- I wasted years of afternoons reciting, an attempt ...
releseabe's user avatar
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Bar/bat Mitzvah syllabus

Is there a set syllabus/topics on Jewish law, that Halacha expects a Bar Mitzvah Boy/ Bat Mitzvah girl to know by the time they are Bar/Bat Mitzvah?
Mars Sojourner's user avatar
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1 answer
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Bar Mitzva בו ביום on Shabbes - when to start putting on Tefilin?

Multiple customs of when to start putting on tefilin exist, one of such being to start the day a boy turns 13. If that day occurs on Shabbes, are there any customs to begin putting on Tefillin on the ...
Yoreinu's user avatar
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Siyum on mishnayos by my bar mitzvah [duplicate]

I have 10 months till my bar mitzvah and I have already finished Seder Zeraim, Seder Moed, Seder Nashim, Seder Nezikin and in Kadshim only Zevachim, Menachos Chulin and Kinim. How many mishnayos do I ...
Elliott mandelbaum's user avatar
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Does a parent carry a child's sins beyond the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah if they were irresponsible in how they raised their child?

Parents own the responsibility of the sins of their children until the child has reached their age of Bar/Bat mitzvah. There is even a blessing Baruch Shepetarani the father makes which thanks Hashem ...
Michael's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
188 views

Sfek Sfeka for a Bar Mitzvah

Suppose a boy was born Bein Hashemashos. Since this is a period of "maybe it's still day, maybe it's already night," seemingly the doubt would translate into "maybe he was born on day 1,...
DonielF's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
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Is it against custom to celebrate a bar mitzvah on rosh hodesh Av?

Is there any rule or custom against celebrating a bar mitzvah on rosh hodesh Av, considering that the beginning of Av is considered a time of mourning?
Nathan Fellman's user avatar
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Should one who has become Bar Mitzvah during Sefirah count with a bracha? [duplicate]

My younger brother is turning 13 during Sefirah. I am going to ask my Rabbi, but I am curious about the various opinions of our Gedolim.
Sapphire_Brick's user avatar
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1 answer
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Bar Mitzvah on Yom Tov

In most situations a boy becomes a Bar Mitzvah and there are certain practices to mark that occasion which take place on the upcoming Shabbos. Those may include some or all of the following: getting ...
user6591's user avatar
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Why do we say הנותן ליעף כח with Hashem's Name?

The Rema rules in OC 225:2: יש אומרים מי שנעשה בנו בר מצוה יברך בא"י אמ"ה שפטרני מעונשו של זה וטוב לברך בלא שם ומלכות Some say that one whose son becomes a Bar Mitzvah should make a blessing ...
DonielF's user avatar
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Participating in a Minyan with 10th Katan (underage)

When given an Aliyah in a shul that uses a katan as the tenth "man" of the minyan, which is contrary to the opinion of the vast majority of gedolei haposkim (SA 55:4), what should one do? Simply ...
Michoel's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
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Can you use your Maaser money on a Bar Mitzvah present?

If you give a Bar Mitzvah boy whose family struggles financially money as his gift, is that considered like you gave Maaser? Considering that most boys save up their Bar Mitzvah money for when they ...
Lages's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
194 views

Online preparation for Bar Mitzvah

Would it be possible to do a crash course online to prepare our 11-year-old boy for becoming Bar Mitzvah? If so, would it be possible to have a mentor/tutor through your site? How many lessons it ...
user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

Appropriate bat mitzvah gift from non-jew

I am attending my bosses's daughters bat mitzvah and I'm not sure what is appropriate to give as a gift. I was thinking just cash or gift card like I would do for any other birthday party I would go ...
Seth Kurkowski's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
246 views

Why are huge challot displayed on the wedding couple / Bar Mitzvah's table?

I noticed that among Orthodox and, seemingly Hareidi Bar Mitzvah's and weddings, a huge challah is cut by the chattan or Bar Mitzvah. I assume that there must be some minhag behind this that ...
DanF's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
856 views

Has the age of accountability always been 13 for boys and 12 for girls?

When was the bar-bas-bat-mitzvah celebration at that age recognised, or was it historically older, such as at age 20? I understand that a boy is a minor (katan-child) before his 13th birthday, and a ...
Lesley's user avatar
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Tisha Ba'av that fell out on Shabbos

If Tisha Ba'av fell out on Shabbos, and therefore it was pushed off to Sunday. Is a Bar Mitzvah Boy obligated to fast if he turned 13 on Shabbos? In other words: Does the fact that Tisha Ba'av fell ...
Moshe's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
396 views

In Jeremiah 1:6-7 was Jeremiah actually a child?

When Jeremiah attempts to recuse himself from his calling to be a prophet he does so by saying that he is unqualified because he is a child: BSB Jeremiah 1: 6“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely ...
Ruminator's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
71 views

The exact current Halachic status of Bar Mitzvah celebratory meal? [duplicate]

This answer brings sources for celebrating Bar Mitzvah by arranging a Seuda. However I'd like to know what's its current Halachic status - is it mentioned in Poskim, Shu"A, Shu"a Harav etc and how ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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-2 votes
1 answer
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Is one obligated to do Bar Mitzvah if one's father didn't do it for him?

Braitah in Kiddushin 29a: תנינא להא דת"ר האב חייב בבנו: למולו ולפדותו וללמדו תורה ולהשיאו אשה וללמדו אומנות וי"א אף להשיטו במים...: ... the Sages taught in a Baraita: A father is obligated ...
Al Berko's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
143 views

What to do if bar mitzvah is on a fast day

Just out of curiosity, what does one do if his bar mitzvah falls on a fast day such as Yom Kippur or Tisha BeAv or any other of the 6 fast days? Is the seudah passed on to the next day? The previous ...
Abraham Murciano Benzadon's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
411 views

Bar mitzvah for child born in Adar

If a child is born in Adar of a non-leap year, and he/she reaches the age of 13/12 in a leap year, when is it appropriate to celebrate the child becoming bar/bat mitzvah? Would that be Adar I or Adar ...
HAROLD RABBIE's user avatar
13 votes
6 answers
706 views

What do Orthodox communities do for profoundly-disabled 13-year-olds (bar mitzvah or similar)?

I occasionally hear (in the US) about a community celebrating a bar mitzvah for a child with profound cognitive disabilities (cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, etc). All such cases I've heard about ...
Monica Cellio's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
89 views

bar mitzvah medals

Long ago, I received a bronze bar mitzvah medal that I have always treasured. I am looking to purchase one now but I can't seem to find any of this minted year. The few I have seen online all seem ...
itsmikem's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
3k views

Revoking bar mitzvah

Recently on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, actor Michael Rapaport has called for the rabbis who gave the bar mitzvah honor to Jared Kushner to have it revoked. (Kushner was born and raised in a ...
Medulla Oblongata's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
69 views

Candles, becoming a bas mitzvah on Shabbos

If a girl becomes a bas mitzvah exactly on Shabbos, can she fulfill the mitzvah of lighting candles on behalf of another person on that week? On one hand, the candles are specifically for Shabbos, ...
Premundane's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
642 views

Wearing a tallit when you are bar mitzvahed but not married, when it isn't your minhag

Let's say someone becomes bar mitzvah and decides to wear a tallit everyday, even though this isn't his minhag, because he wants the opportunity to make another brachah. Is this the right thing to do? ...
Ploni Almoni's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
585 views

Dancing at Bar Mitzvah Celebration during Sefira

I attended a Bar Mitzvah last night, and there was so-called "sefira music" playing, and there was also dancing. As far as I recall learning, there are some justifications for listening to such music, ...
user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
197 views

Do Conservative boys give a d'var Torah on or after their bar Mitzvah?

A friend asked me if I would ask you for your help. Do all boys in Conservative Judaism give a d'var Torah on their bar Mitzvah, or is that not until after the bar Mitzvah?
LisaRoni's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
695 views

Why do we say bar mitzvah instead of ben mitzvah?

I've heard somewhere that there is a source explaning why do we say "bar mitzvah" instead of "ben mitzvah". I assume that this source it's not dealing with common knowledge on this (such as the ...
Renato S. Grun's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
210 views

About coming back to Jewish practice

I'm 47 and I've spent my whole adult life far from Jewish practice. But now I'm engaged in tshuva (i.e. returning to Judaism; lit. repentance) and I want to come back to Hashem and live my Jewish life ...
lco's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
92 views

Why the 1 year difference between Bar/Bat Mitzva? [duplicate]

Why the difference of 1 year between girls reaching obligation in mitzva observation versus boys? (a girl's Bat Mitzva = 12 years old, while boy's Bar Mitzva = 13 years old) Is this due to girl's ...
ray's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
378 views

Becoming Bar Mitzvah on Shabbas but made early kiddush

A child once they become Bar/Bas Mitzvah is now an adult and is obligated in all the mitzvos (assuming they've reached physical maturity). In the case where they became Bar Mitzvah on Shabbas (Friday ...
robev's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
216 views

Non Jews: What honor to give a non jewish father at an Orthodox bar mitzvah (Jewish son) or at a wedding?

I have heard from an active Rabbi that he would give a non Jewish father the honor of opening the ark. What about putting on a Torah covering? Where is this issue discussed in halachic sources? Due ...
Sam Rabin's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
260 views

Source For Bar Mitzvah Celebration

What are the earliest explicit sources that reference a celebration upon becoming a bar mitsvah, and indicate that this celebration has some halakhic significance? The Yam Shel Shelomo to Bava Kamma (...
mevaqesh's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
128 views

When does an Eved Knani become bar mitzvah?

When does an Eved Knani become bar mitzvah, at age 12 like a woman or 13 like a man?
Avi's user avatar
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4 votes
4 answers
628 views

Will no one come to the batmizva on sfirat haomer

I have my daughter's batmitzva scheduled on Sunday, May 22. Many of her friends are religious (e.g. Chabad). And the party will be attended by kids mostly. My ex-wife says that those kids will not ...
NeedAdvice's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
139 views

who makes brocha by bar mitzva if no dad?

If someone's father passed away, who makes the brocha of baruch shepotrani when he gets his aliya at the torah by his bar mitzva?
menachem's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
68 views

Book suggestion for Bat Mitzva gift [closed]

I am looking for a suggestion for a good Jewish book (english) for a somewhat observant Bat Mitzva girl. Something which will teach her more about Judaism at her level.
ray's user avatar
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