bat mitzvah
baht MITZ-vuh
/bɑːt ˈmɪtsvə/
A Jewish coming-of-age ritual and celebration for a girl (typically aged 12 or 13), marking her religious adulthood and responsibility.
Literally means 'daughter of the commandment'. Prominently celebrated in Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist Judaism.
The story behind the word. From Hebrew 'bat' (daughter) and 'mitzvah' (commandment). The first public ceremony for a Bat Mitzvah in America took place in 1922 when Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan organized one for his daughter Judith.
Word relationships
- rite of passage: 'Rite of passage' is general; 'Bat Mitzvah' is a specific Jewish ritual for girls.
Commonly confused with
- bar mitzvah: Bat Mitzvah uses Hebrew 'bat' (daughter), denoting a girl's ceremony.
Collocations
- Bat Mitzvah service
- celebrate a Bat Mitzvah
- Bat Mitzvah project
- Bat Mitzvah dress
Example sentences
- "Hannah delivered an insightful commentary on her Haftarah reading during her Bat Mitzvah." Family Celebration
- "Her Bat Mitzvah represented a proud moment of heritage and personal growth." Spiritual Passage
Memory hook
BAT = Daughter (a girl holding the bat of youth leading into adulthood). Daughter of the commandment.
When not to use
Do not use for boys; use 'Bar Mitzvah'.
Fun facts
- Judith Kaplan's Bat Mitzvah in 1922 sparked a movement that reshaped female participation in modern Jewish worship.
Related words
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