Ok so I thought I would write a few things about one of the events we do here and there and give some background to many of you who have never been to a Mitzvah or some may never have heard of one ! Stephanie has been to many Mitzvahs since part of my family is jewish and this is a custom thing we do when a boy or a girl turns 13 !
In the Jewish religion it is customary when a boy or a girl turn 13 they have a ceremony marking that they are older and that they are responsible for the choices they make in life and also in the religion they follow. If you are a boy you are having a BAR MITZVAH and if you are a girl you are having a BAT MITZVAH. The Ceremony usually involves the young person being called to read the Torah and depending on what type of congregation they belong to the young person might also say a few things during a special service. They are also responsible for following the jewish laws now on their own versus the parents being responsible.
One thing I read but do not know for a fact that its true is that they can be legally married according to the jewish law ! Dont worry no one in our family has ever been married at 13 !
The Ceremony usually is in the morning where all the religious things are done and is followed at night with a big party. Some Mitzvahs are themed or have a room for adults and then a room for kids ! There is always a meal for everyone to eat offered with a Motzi ( blessing & cutting Haleh Bread) and then there is a candle lighting ceremony - This can be done at the service but many people do it now at the party and how it works is the girl or boy will have 13 people that are important in their lives come up and light a candle and he or she will say a few words on who they are or who they represent to him !
Also traditional Dances as in The Hora - I love the Hora Its so much funand you do not have to be jewish to do it ! The Dj gets everyone in a few circles and we put the Birthday boy/girl in the middle and they start to the right and the go to the left - 10 men or as much as it takes to lift the birthday boy in a chair a few times !
Watch it on You Tube so you will know it if you are ever invited to a Mitzvah ! Anyway I thought this would be something fun to write about since we do Mitzvahs from time to time !
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