RMPS - Int2/Higher - World Religions - Judaism - Education Scotland

THE PRACTICES THAT HELP ACHIEVE THE GOALS
Suggestion for further reading and research
www.aish.com/literacy/lifecycle/what_is_circumcision$.asp
Bar Mitzvah
Literally meaning a ‘son of the commandment’, Bar Mitzvah is the term
given to a boy when he reaches Jewish religious maturity, which in
Jewish law takes place for boys at the age of thirteen. This is when he
becomes a full member of the community. From this time onwards he
becomes personally responsible for observing the commandments which
incorporate his entire religious behaviour. However, this does not mean
that his parents no longer continue to encourage, teach and advise him
how to behave. Of course they do, and he should continue to respect
them and follow their good advice and teaching.
The boy is initiated into the ranks of the community by fulfilling two
mitzvot which, as a minor, he was not obliged to do. These
commandments are putting on tefillin during weekday morning prayers
and being called up to perform the reading of the Law (the Torah scroll)
in synagogue. The Bar Mitzvah boy will receive instruction in putting on
tefillin, and in reading and singing a portion from the Five Books of
Moses (the weekly sidra) and from the Prophets (the haftarah, a
passage that has a similar theme to the weekly sidra). This involves a lot
of practice.
A Bar Mitzvah boy does not have to read his portion on a Saturday. After
he has reached the age of thirteen years and a day he may be called up
to read the Torah on a Monday or a Thursday, the two other days of the
week when the Torah is read in synagogue, whichever is closest to his
birthday. If he does this, he may be called up again on the following
Shabbat. This is the boy’s first public reading of the Torah and is a
celebratory family occasion.
Most Bar Mitzvah celebrations take place on the Shabbat after the boy’s
thirteenth birthday. Many friends and relatives will come to the
synagogue to hear him. Several male relatives and friends will be
honoured by being called to recite a blessing or participate in the
service in some other way. The rabbi usually addresses the Bar Mitzvah
boy in his sermon and congratulates him.
Bar Mitzvah celebrations take place any time after the service and can
take many forms, e.g. a meal or a party. Celebrations may be left till after
Shabbat in keeping with the Shabbat laws, since, for example, playing a
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RMPS: WORLD RELIGIONS – JUDAISM (INT 2, H)
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