What is a Bar Mitzvah?
Q: What is a Bar Mitzvah?
A: A Bar Mitzvah is a Jewish boy who has turned 13 years old and gone through a rite of passage which symbolizes the young person's responsibility for themselves.
Q: What is a Bat Mitzvah?
A: A Bat Mitzvah is a Jewish girl who has turned 12 years old (or 13 in the Orthodox movement) and gone through a rite of passage which symbolizes the young person's responsibility for themselves.
Q: What does "Bar/Bat Mitzvah" mean?
A: Bar/Bat Mitzvah comes from the Aramaic בר מצוה, "one (m./f.) to whom the commandments apply". It literally means "son/daughter of commandment".
Q: When do children become responsible for their actions according to Jewish law?
A: According to Jewish law, when children reach the age of majority (generally thirteen years for boys and twelve for girls), they become responsible for their actions and "become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah". This is also the time when physical puberty normally begins.
Q: At what age are boys considered to be Bar Mitzvahs?
A: Boys are considered to be Bar Mitzvahs at 13 years old.
Q: At what age are girls considered to be Bat Mitzvahs?
A: Girls are considered to be Bat Mitzvahs at 12 years old (or 13 in the Orthodox movement).
