bar mitzvah
bar MITZ-vuh
/bɑːr ˈmɪtsvə/
A Jewish coming-of-age ritual and celebration for a boy who reaches the age of 13, marking his responsibility for observing religious commandments.
Refers both to the religious status achieved (literally 'son of the commandment') and the ceremony or celebration itself.
The story behind the word. Translates directly from Aramaic and Hebrew as 'son of the commandment'. The tradition emerged in the Middle Ages to recognize that a 13-year-old boy was morally and religiously accountable for his own actions under Jewish law.
Word relationships
- coming-of-age ceremony: 'Coming-of-age ceremony' is a generic term across cultures, while 'Bar Mitzvah' is specific to Jewish boys.
Commonly confused with
- bat mitzvah: Bar Mitzvah is for boys ('Bar' = son); Bat Mitzvah is for girls ('Bat' = daughter).
Collocations
- celebrate a Bar Mitzvah
- Bar Mitzvah speech
- Bar Mitzvah tutor
- prepare for a Bar Mitzvah
Example sentences
- "David spent months practicing his Torah portion before his Bar Mitzvah." Religious Milestone
- "The synagogue was packed with relatives who came to celebrate Elijah's Bar Mitzvah." Cultural Tradition
Memory hook
BAR = Son (like a young man standing at the bar of maturity). Son of the commandment at age thirteen.
When not to use
Do not use for Jewish girls; use 'Bat Mitzvah' instead.
Fun facts
- The formal observance of the Bar Mitzvah became standardized around the 14th century in Europe.
Related words
Explore more words
puberty, commandment, rite, menorah, adolescence, adolescent
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