The words ‘Bar Mitzvah’ is typically translated as "son of the commandment", and Bat Mitzvah as "daughter of the commandment". In Biblical Hebrew the word "bar" or "bat" could also mean "subject to". So a more accurate translation may actually be "subject to commandment." The plural term for people of obligation is B'nai Mitzvah, or B'not Mitzvah if all the people are female, though when referring to multiple celebrations, many mistakenly say "Bar" or "Bat Mitzvot."

Jewish law holds parents accountable for their children's deeds. And since parents, as of their child's "coming of age," are now no longer liable for their children, it's cause for celebration. It is also a reason to be joyful for the bar mitzvah boy and bat mitzvah girl, who are now responsible for her own acts and deeds. This new accountability is cause for celebration, for both the parents and for the child.

Under Jewish Law, children are not obligated to observer the commandments, although they are encouraged to learn the obligations they will have as an adult. The Bar mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah are a "rite of passage," a crossover from childhood to adulthood. At 12 for girls and 13 for boys, children become obligated to observer the commandments. The Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah ceremony formally marks the assumption of these obligations, along with the corresponding right to take part in leading religious services, to count in a minyan, to form binding contracts, to testify before religious courts and to marry.

The Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah celebrants usually to do more than just say the blessing. The celebrant will usually learn the entire haphtarah portion, including its traditional chant, and recite it. In some congregations, the celebrant reads the entire weekly torah portion, leads part of the service or leads the congregation in certain important prayers. The celebrant will also make a speech, which traditionally begins with “today I am a man.” The father recites a blessing thanking God for removing the burden of being responsible for his son’s sins.

The Bar Mitzvah service is followed by a Bar Mitzvah ceremony that can be as elaborate as a wedding reception, so you should ensure your personalized Bar Mitzvah invitations are appropriate for the Bar Mitzvah celebration!

Links to our unique Bar Mitzvah invitations, affordable Bat Mitzvah announcements, cheap Bar Mitzvah cards and personalized Bar Mitzvah thank you cards.