what exactly is a bat mitzvah?

Question

i got invited to my friends and i don't know what to wear or if a i should bring a present or not. what do i do there ?

Answer 1

In Judaism, when you reach 13 years old you are considered to be an adult, in the sense that you can participate in Jewish ceremonies and religious services as an adult.

The Bar Mitzvah (for boys) or Bat Mitzvah (for girls) is a ceremony that announces to the congregation that you have reached that age and are now considered an adult. It takes place at the temple, on a Saturday. It is a normal Saturday service like they would have any weekend, but the Bat Mitzvah girl does some reading aloud in Hebrew from the Torah (the Jewish Bible).

Usually there is a party afterwords, to celebrate.

If you are attending a Bat Mitzvah, wear something nice, like you would wear to church. If the party is later in the evening (sometimes the Bat Mitzvah is in the morning and the party is at night), then you can change into more of a "party outfit" for that. But you still want it to be pretty fancy or formal. It's a special occasion.

As for a gift, definitely get her one. You can get your friend anything that you think she would enjoy, just like a birthday gift. However, it is also popular to give money, savings bonds or gift certificates. If you want to look like you did your research, give her a gift certificate in a multiple of $18. For example, you could give $36, $54 or $72. That is becuase in Hebrew, the number 18 is considered very lucky.

The most important thing is, dress nice and have a good time.

Answer 2

It's a Jewish ceremony celebrating a girl becoming a woman. After the ceremony, which could be long so be prepared, there'll be a big party. Bringing a present would be appropriate. Good ones include money and anything you think a teenage girl would like (in other words same thing you would get for her birthday). Just wear nice clothes like you would wear to any special occasion (not wedding formal, just nice) and at most Bat Mitzvahs where there'll be nonJewish people the Rabbi will explain what's going on.

Answer 3

Bat Mitzvah is for a jewish girl's coming of age ceremony. Yes, bring a present by all means. Wear a nice summer dress or skirt & pretty top with sandals. It's a party, you socialize and eat.

Answer 4

Bat mitzvahs and bar mitzvahs are one of the biggest deals in the Jewish faith -- they're celebrating the transition to adulthood for him or her. So definitely dress up, like you might for a wedding or something, and bring a gift. I don't think there'll be much for you to do -- just sitting around like you would in church while they do a bunch of reading from the Torah and stuff -- and afterwards there's a big party, sort of like a wedding reception.

Answer 5

In the case of cultural uncertainty of dress and custom, the best people to ask are not general populus groups (ie: Yahoo Answers) but instead the hosts of the event. Some of the Jewish families I know asked for full suits and very proper dresses for ladies, and other families were there in beach attire (granted, that's because the bar mitzvah was performed in a beach house).

As in many things, different people will interpret even their 'common' culture differently and the best way to honor any group's particular customs is to simply ask that group how to honor their customs, then follow through on what they say to do or not do.

Answer 6

bar mitzvah is for a boy bat mitzvah is for a girl i think wear something nice and bring a present.

Answer 7

answered by my child who knows this.......
OK when you go to a bat-Mitzah it is a right of passage into womanhood or in a boy's case manhood .on the question about what to wear it depends on how she knows you best.do you go to church in a dress or dress pants ?how do you dress around her?well,on the part about the present give her something that you know she would like,give her even corn nuts with it too. if you don't want to offend her congregation ask her how to dress also. all yo have to do is be there when she gets prayed over and does her Torah {bible}portion and for support on this big event!
my daughter attends these and she is only 11.

Answer 8

same as a bar mitzvah, except for a girl
it's a Jewish rite of passage into adulthood
it's a pretty big deal, dress up
take a gift if you know the kid personally, or a card with $$

Answer 9

IT'S A BAR MITZVAH. AND IT IS A COMING OF AGE CEREMONY FOR A JEWISH GIRL, WHERE HER PARENTS GIVE HER AWAY TO SOCIETY. BASICALLY SAYING THAT SHE IS GROWN UP AND SHE CAN DATE. YOU SHOULD DRESS LIKE YOU WOULD FOR CHURCH OR A PROM. A GIFT WOULD BE NICE BUT NOT MANDITORY.

Answer 10

You are a witness to the ritual of someone passing from chilhood to manhood. Or from a child to womanhood.
Just wear regular dress clothes.