Bar and bat mitzvah information

*Bar* and *bat mitzvah*
	Bar mitzvah boy wearing tallit and tefillin
Native name	Bar mīṣvā: בַּר מִצְוָה‎ ; Bat mīṣvā: בַּת מִצְוָה‎
Time	Orthodox boys: 13 years old, girls: 12 years old; Reform and Conservative boys and girls: 12 or 13 years old;
Type	Coming-of-age ceremony
Theme	Reaching the age of bar or bat mitzvah signifies becoming a full-fledged member of the Jewish community

A bar mitzvah (masc.) or bat mitzvah (fem.)^[a] is a coming-of-age ritual in Judaism. According to Jewish law, before children reach a certain age, the parents are responsible for their child's actions. Once Jewish children reach that age, they are said to "become" b'nai mitzvah, at which point they begin to be held accountable for their own actions. Traditionally, the father of a bar or bat mitzvah offers thanks to God that he is no longer punished for his child's sins.

In Orthodox communities, boys become bar mitzvah at 13 and girls become bat mitzvah at 12. In most Reform, Reconstructionist, and Conservative communities, the milestone is 13 regardless of gender.^[4] After this point, children are also held responsible for knowing Jewish ritual law, tradition, and ethics, and are able to participate in all areas of Jewish community life to the same extent as adults. In some Jewish communities, men's and women's roles differ in certain respects. For example, in Orthodox Judaism, once a boy turns 13, it is permitted to count him for the purpose of determining whether there is a prayer quorum, and he may lead prayer and other religious services in the family and the community.^[5]

Bar mitzvah is mentioned in the Mishnah^[6] and the Talmud. Some classic sources identify the age at which children must begin to participate in the ritual of fasting on Yom Kippur as 13 for boys and 12 for girls. The age of b'nai mitzvah roughly coincides with the onset of puberty.^[7] The bar/bat mitzvah ceremony is usually held on the first Shabbat after the birthday on which the child reaches the eligible age.

^ ^a ^b Perleberg, Ellen; Dy, Grace Elizabeth C. (May 25, 2022). "Growing Up on the Wrong Side of the Mechitza: A Case Study of Contemporary Queer Jewish Language". Journal of Jewish Languages. 10 (1): 120–139. doi:10.1163/22134638-bja10019.
^ Dolsten, Josefin (March 1, 2018). "This teen had a gender neutral b'nei mitzvah". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
^ "Celebrating the Age of Mitzvah: A Guide for all Genders". Keshet. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
^ "Origins of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah". ReformJudaism.org. October 19, 2012. Today in almost all non-Orthodox congregations, all children mark symbolic entry into Jewish adulthood through b'nai mitzvah (bar or bat mitzvah) at age 13.
^ Genesis Rabbah 63:10 (commenting upon Genesis 25:27) בראשית רבה סג י (in Hebrew)
^ Pirkei Avot, 5:21
^ Niddah 45b

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[perleberg-dy-1] Perleberg, Ellen; Dy, Grace Elizabeth C. (May 25, 2022). "Growing Up on the Wrong Side of the Mechitza: A Case Study of Contemporary Queer Jewish Language". Journal of Jewish Languages. 10 (1): 120–139. doi:10.1163/22134638-bja10019.

[2] Dolsten, Josefin (March 1, 2018). "This teen had a gender neutral b'nei mitzvah". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved May 5, 2023.

[3] "Celebrating the Age of Mitzvah: A Guide for all Genders". Keshet. Retrieved May 5, 2023.

[5] "Origins of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah". ReformJudaism.org. October 19, 2012. Today in almost all non-Orthodox congregations, all children mark symbolic entry into Jewish adulthood through b'nai mitzvah (bar or bat mitzvah) at age 13.

[GenesisRabbah63-6] Genesis Rabbah 63:10 (commenting upon Genesis 25:27) בראשית רבה סג י (in Hebrew)

[7] Pirkei Avot, 5:21

[8] Niddah 45b

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Bar mitzvah boy wearing tallit and tefillin
Native name	Bar mīṣvā: בַּר מִצְוָה‎ Bat mīṣvā: בַּת מִצְוָה‎
Time	Orthodox boys: 13 years old, girls: 12 years old Reform and Conservative boys and girls: 12 or 13 years old
Type	Coming-of-age ceremony
Theme	Reaching the age of bar or bat mitzvah signifies becoming a full-fledged member of the Jewish community