| B’s for our Bar and Bat Mitzvahs because it’s fun to grow older and learn Jewish laws. When we turn thirteen it’s the rabbi’s opinion that you can’t call us babies. We count towards a minyan! |
C could be the challah that my bubbe used to braid, or C could be the chicken soup, when I was sick, she made, or chocolate coins on Chanukah we added to our coffers. But I say C should be for chai, to life and all it offers. |
Bar Mitzvah means “son of the commandments”
and Bat Mitzvah means “daughter
of the commandments.” When a Jewish boy
turns thirteen, he becomes a Bar Mitzvah.
Girls become a Bat Mitzvah at age twelve,
although many choose to celebrate at
thirteen. The service (when the boy or
girl is “called to the Torah,” and has the
honor of reciting a blessing) is the public
acknowledgment of the child’s “coming
of age.” Until then it is his parents’ job to
encourage their child to observe the mitzvot
(the Jewish commandments). At thirteen,
children become responsible for their own
actions, and they count towards a minyan,
which is the number of people needed to
conduct certain prayer services (although
until recently girls did not count, and they
could not lead services). Having at least
ten adults helps to encourage a sense of
community among Jews.
The term mitzvah is often used to mean
any act of kindness, and Jewish children are
urged to perform a mitzvah, like helping to
feed the hungry, as part of their bar or bat
mitzvah preparation.
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Most Jewish celebrations have traditional
foods associated with them. Challah, for
instance, is a braided loaf of bread eaten to
celebrate the arrival of the Sabbath.
Generations of Jewish mothers and grandmothers
(bubbes) have given their children
chicken soup to cure all kinds of sicknesses.
Chickens are nutritious and were
often the only meat that poor Eastern
European Jews could afford. In America
many “Jewish foods” like bagels and lox
and knishes are popular, even among
non-Jews.
Observant Jews follow strict rules about
what foods (and food combinations) they
are permitted to eat. If these foods are
properly prepared, they are called “kosher.”
Even chocolate must meet strict standards
during its preparation. During Chanukah,
Jews often give their children chocolate
coins. No one knows how this custom
started, but some parents hide chocolates
in the pages of prayer books to encourage
their children to study, and to teach them
that “learning is sweet.”
The Hebrew word chai means “life.” It is
made of the two Hebrew letters chet and
yod, and highlights Judaism’s focus on the
importance of everyone’s life. Before beginning
a festive meal, the typical Jewish toast
is l’chayim, meaning “to life.” |
