Why is it called bar mitzvah?

Bar ( בַּר‎) is a Jewish Babylonian Aramaic word meaning “son” ( בֵּן‎, ben in Hebrew), while bat ( בַּת‎) means “daughter” in Hebrew, and mitzvah ( מִצְוָה‎) means “commandment” or “law” (plural: mitzvot). Thus bar mitzvah and bat mitzvah literally translate to “son of commandment” and “daughter of commandment”.

What is the meaning of the Hebrew word mitzvah?

commandment
mitzvah, also spelled Mitsvah (Hebrew: “commandment”), plural Mitzvoth, Mitzvot, Mitzvahs, Mitsvoth, Mitsvot, or Mitsvahs, any commandment, ordinance, law, or statute contained in the Torah (first five books of the Bible) and, for that reason, to be observed by all practicing Jews.

What is the purpose of mitzvah?

The mitzvot are seen as points of guidance to help Jewish people use their free will correctly. Jews believe that they have free will to follow the mitzvot. They believe that, by following the mitzvot, they will live a good life, meaning that they will be closer to God.

What does it mean to become a bat mitzvah?

coming of age
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony for Jewish boys and girls when they reach the age of 12 or 13. This ceremony marks the time when a boy or girl becomes a Jewish adult. This means that they are now responsible for their own actions and can decide for themselves how they would like to practice Judaism.

When was the bar mitzvah started?

The Jewish coming-of-age ceremony of bar mitzvah was first recorded in thirteenth-century France, where it took the form of a simple statement by the father that he was no longer responsible for his thirteen-year-old son.

What is the difference between mitzvot and mitzvah?

There are 613 mitzvot , which are Jewish rules or commandments. Mizvot means ‘commandments’ (plural). Mitzvah means ‘commandment’ (singular).

Why is the holiday called Passover?

In order to protect their first-born children, the Israelites marked their doors with lamb’s blood so the angel of death would pass over them. Thus the name Passover, which is “pesach” in Hebrew. The Israelites were ultimately freed from slavery and wandered the desert for 40 years before making it to the promise land.

What’s the difference between a Bar Mitzvah and a bat mitzvah?

The Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies mark the transition into adulthood for young Jews. At age 13 a boy becomes a Bar Mitzvah (a son of the commandments) and at age 12 a girl becomes a Bat Mitzvah (a daughter of the commandments).

How is a bar mitzvah performed?

Before his 13th birthday, a Jewish boy will attend lessons, usually at the synagogue, in Hebrew and in how to read the Torah aloud. On the Sabbath nearest to his 13th birthday, the boy will become Bar Mitzvah . During the Sabbath service, the boy will read aloud part of the Torah or a section of the Prophets.

Where did Gentiles originate from?

Gentile, person who is not Jewish. The word stems from the Hebrew term goy, which means a “nation,” and was applied both to the Hebrews and to any other nation. The plural, goyim, especially with the definite article, ha-goyim, “the nations,” meant nations of the world that were not Hebrew.