- According to Myjewishlearning.com, the bar mitzvah is a relatively new ceremony, with the first American ceremony held in 1922. It was invented to indoctrinate young men into full members of the church. This occurs when a boy is 12 or 13. While most cultures view this as a child's age, Jewish 12 and 13 year olds study hard to earn the right to participate in their bar mitzvah.
- From the 1920s until the 1950s, bar mitzvah tradition didn't change much. However, in the '60s and '70s bar mitzvahs started having a reception after the initial ceremony that was similar in mood to a wedding reception. Many modern bar mitzvahs have included dance music, DJs, lighting, live bands, entertainers, games, and presents for the child being honored.
- There is some dispute regarding bar mitzvahs, since traditional orthodox Jews believe that women should not directly participate in religious ceremonies. However, modern liberal Jews believe that the female bat mitzvah should be treated as an equal counterpart to the male bar mitzvah.
- The typical events of a bar mitzvah include reading the Torah publicly, reciting the bar mitzvah blessing, and receiving the bar mitzvah gift. While the ceremony should be the primary consideration, many times the reception will be so ostentatious as to outshine the religious tone.
- Bar mitzvah means literally, "son of the commandments." While before the age of 12, Jewish children are not obligated to abide by the commandments of Jewish law, this does not mean they are lawless and bad children. Children are raised with the same values, but the ceremony of the bar mitzvah confirms their allegiance to this set of rules with a promise to follow them through adulthood.
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