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Bar Mitzvah and Kabbalat
Torah:
Like the Jewish
wedding a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah is a special celebration that requires an
experienced Toastmaster. This is the coming of age of a boy or girl that has
reached the age of 13. It is a very big occasion for the family and is usually
celebrated in style. An explanation of the obligation (below) helps to better
understand the honour of the participant and his/her family.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah
Translated literally, Bar/Bat Mitzvah means "son" (bar) or "daughter" (bat) "of
the Commandments." Up until the late Middle Ages, a boy or girl would virtually
‘overnight’ become an adult and subject to all the obligations applicable to men
and women under Halakhah (Jewish Law). From that time, a boy marked his
competence to enter the adult Jewish world by being ‘called-up’ to read all or
part of the Parashah (weekly Torah portion) and often the Haftarah (reading from
the Prophets).
Judaism affirms the equal status of boys and girls in religious education.
Accordingly, offering both Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies in Communities as part
of a Shabbat Morning Service. Liberal Judaism also believes that the Bar/Bat
Mitzvah ceremony is only the culmination of a process. Therefore, children (and
parents) are expected to commit to regular attendance at the Cheder (Religion
School) and Synagogue Services, to additional tuition and to agree to continue
the child’s religious education up to Kabbalat Torah. Involvement in a Social
Action project is also often encouraged.
Adult Bar/ Bat Mitzvah
Liberal Judaism recognises that Bar/Bat Mitzvah may also be a meaningful
ceremony for adults. Some may not, for whatever reason, have had a Bar or Bat
Mitzvah as part of a Synagogue service when they were 13. Others may wish to
renew or reaffirm their personal commitment to Jewish tradition. The Rabbis and
Communities of Liberal Judaism are pleased to assist adults in furthering their
Jewish education and in preparation for being called up before the congregation
to read from the Torah.
Kabbalat Torah
Recognising that Bar Mitzvah, although significant, does not, in modern society,
mark a child's becoming an adult, the ceremony of Kabbalat Torah at age 15
allows girls and boys to affirm their commitment to Judaism as a consequence of
a personal decision. Kabbalat Torah is a firmly established religious observance
in Liberal Judaism. It was introduced because the founders of Liberal Judaism
felt that at the age of 13 students were too young to declare a commitment to
the community and to end their formal education. At the age of 15 it is felt
that they are able to have a more mature and personal understanding of Jewish
values.
Kabbalat Torah encourages students to think about issues in their lives and in
society as a whole, through the lens of Jewish tradition and Liberal Jewish
values. Apart from formal learning, most courses include active participation in
the religious and cultural life of their own Community. They are also invited to
participate in events with students from other Communities and on trips to
places of Jewish interest in the UK and Europe. As a result, many of our
students cement lasting social relationships with fellow students during these
years. Kabbalat Torah runs from Bar and Bat Mitzvah, culminating in the ceremony
created jointly by the students and the Rabbis.
During Kabbalat Torah, most students will have the option to prepare for and
take GCSE Religious Studies - Judaism. Many post Kabbalat Torah students come
back to the Cheder to become class helpers, and later a number choose to become
teachers.
Adult Kabbalat Torah
In recent years, adult members in some Communities of Liberal Judaism who wish
to learn more about their heritage and culture undertake a course of education
at the end of which they, as their younger counterparts, will create and lead a
Shabbat service.
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