Q: What is the origin and history regarding the establishment of the
Bar Mitzvah. When was it established in Jewish practice and why?
A: The term "Bat/Bar Mitzvah" is one of those Hebrew phrases that is
quite untranslatable. It is best defined as meaning "of the age in which
a person is obliged to observe the mitzvot (commandments and laws) of
the Torah and Judaism". When a boy reaches the age of thirteen or a girl
reaches the age of twelve and a half, he/she is expected to assume the
religious responsibilities as an adult in the Jewish community.
Bar Mitzvah dates back to Talmudic times. At the age of thirteen, a
boy was called a Bar Mitzvah. He was obliged to join the adult community
where he was counted in the minyan (quorum of ten that is necessary for
public prayer), as well as being called up to the Torah for an aliyah,
along with the other religious obligations of adulthood.
The Bar Mitzvah ceremony as we know it today originated in the pre-modern
era. At that time, a boy was formally called to the Torah for an aliyah.
Later on, in the sixteenth century, he was assigned the last aliyah called
the maftir portion, which was then followed by the young adult chanting
of the prophetic portion called the haftarah.
