Question:
My grandson does not attend religious school. Is he able to
celebrate a bar-mitzvah at the age of thirteen even though he has no
preparation and will not be participating in any service?-- Louise G.
Rabbi Josh Strom: The traditional answer is that when a Jewish male turns 13 he technically automatically becomes a bar mitzvah, an adult in the eyes of
the Jewish community, and therefore obligated to lead a responsible
Jewish life. Since reading from and blessing the Torah are among the
highest duties a Jewish adult can perform, this explains the Bar Mitzvah
ceremony. But leading a responsible, adult Jewish life requires and
demands regular study of Torah and other Jewish texts. So, technically,
when he turns 13 he is a Bar Mitzvah, and because we live in a free
country, he is able to celebrate. But without commitment to Torah study
and learning of the prayers incumbent of every Jewish adult, it would
seem to me as though a celebration of this kind would be more of a
"sweet thirteen" than anything else.
Would you like to add your comment? See our Forum, where this topic is up for discussion!
Rabbi Josh Strom: The traditional answer is that when a Jewish male turns 13 he technically automatically becomes a bar mitzvah, an adult in the eyes of
the Jewish community, and therefore obligated to lead a responsible
Jewish life. Since reading from and blessing the Torah are among the
highest duties a Jewish adult can perform, this explains the Bar Mitzvah
ceremony. But leading a responsible, adult Jewish life requires and
demands regular study of Torah and other Jewish texts. So, technically,
when he turns 13 he is a Bar Mitzvah, and because we live in a free
country, he is able to celebrate. But without commitment to Torah study
and learning of the prayers incumbent of every Jewish adult, it would
seem to me as though a celebration of this kind would be more of a
"sweet thirteen" than anything else. Would you like to add your comment? See our Forum, where this topic is up for discussion!
