Bar and bat mitzvah

A Bar Mitzvah (Hebrew: בר מצווה, lit. "son of the commandment") is a coming-of-age ritual in Judaism that marks the transition of a boy from childhood to adulthood at the age of 13. This transition occurs when the boy becomes obligated to perform the commandments (mitzvot) of the Torah. The term Bar Mitzvah is also used to refer to the celebration that accompanies this transition. The equivalent ceremony for girls is called a Bat Mitzvah (Hebrew: בת מצווה, lit. "daughter of the commandment"), which is celebrated at the age of 12 or 13, depending on the tradition. The Bar Mitzvah ceremony typically involves the boy reading from the Torah in the synagogue, followed by a celebratory meal and festivities. The event is significant not only for the individual but also for the community, as it signifies the young man's entry into the religious and social responsibilities of adulthood. In Yiddish, the term is often rendered as Bar Mitzveh, and in Ladino, it is known as Bar Mitzvah as well.