What is the direct translation of "Bar Mitzvah"?

Answer 1

Alaric is referring to a DERIVED meaning of "mitzvah". Yes, it is used to refer to something good that someone does, that is to an act that FULFILLS the "command" (or in traditional/ King James style, "commandment"). [The noun form with the m- prefix is based on the Hebrew verb "tsavah" --"to command", so means "thing that is commanded"]

A Jewish boy is to become a "son of the command(ment)", that is, at the age he is seen as mature enough to know right and wrong and be responsible for his action, that is, for following the commands of God.

Also, note that Hebrew (also Aramaic) expressions "son(s) of X" where "X" may be something abstract (not a person's name), is a common, idiomatic way of saying that the person is somehow 'characterized by X'. So "bar mitzvah" might be rendered in English as "one to whom the command(ment)s apply" or "one who is under the command(ment)s".

(A couple of examples of the "sons of X" construction in the New Testament are two nicknames:
a) the nickname of the Jesus disciples James and John -- "sons of thunder", which suggests that they had, perhaps, something of a temper?)
b) the nickname of Joseph a Levite from Cyprus and early Christian -- "Barnabas" - "son of encouragement" (that is, "one who encourages"), because of his generosity (e.g., selling his lands to give the money away) and help to the needy in the community.

Another good biblical example is "son of man" -- in its original sense it simply means "human being" (This may be used for "mere [mortal] man" or take on the idea of "true man", depending on the context . The second idea develops in Daniel 7, where "one like a son of man" comes to rule the nations, overcoming the "beasts", that is, rebel rulers/nations, from Babylon on.)


You may also know the feminine form "bat mitzvah" -- the feminine form (for girls, literally meaning "daughter...")

By extension, the terms are used colloquially of the religious CEREMONY in which a child BECOMES a "son/daughter of the commandment"

Answer 2

That's not right. Mitzvah is not law. Mitzvah is a right thing to do. Doing a mitzvah means doing a good thing. I think the idea of the term is that an adult, which what one technically becomes at this time, knows what is right and is moreover required to do it, whereas a child is excused.

Answer 3

Son of the law.
Bat mitzvah is daughter of the law.

Answer 4

Nika S is right! Mitzvoh is the correct spelling of "good deeds:.

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