2006-12-10 10:05:23 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Bat Mitzvah is the girl's equivalent of the boy's Bar Mitzvah.
The main difference is that the girls at my synagogue give a speech, and their fathers read from the Torah for them. Girls are not allowed to read from the Torah in Orthodox synagogues.
In a Reform, or Conservative synagogue, I believe the girl can read from the Torah.
A Bat Mitzvah, like the Bar Mitzvah, is at age 13, when a child becomes accountable for his actions.....considered grown.
2006-12-10 10:13:55 · answer #1 · answered by Shossi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the synagogue.
'Bat mitzvah' actually refers to the girl (bar is for boys) who is going through this rite of passage. It's all about accepting responsibility for following the Jewish commandments (mitzvot) as an adult. The prayer shawl is worn for the first time. Most beni (plural) mitzvah chant the Torah portion during services -- which means that they need to get their Hebrew up to speed.
Because this is a time of great pride for the families, they're usually included in the honors and perhaps other parts of the services. There's usually a party afterwards, but that's not part of the rituals.
2006-12-10 18:17:38 · answer #2 · answered by The angels have the phone box. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Boy becomes a Man and is allowed to read the Torah in the synagogue.
2006-12-10 18:11:36 · answer #3 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Prayer, reading from the Torah, more prayer, a blessing.
2006-12-10 18:07:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋