A bar mitzvah, technically speaking, is when a jewish boy becomes a man and takes on responsibility for himself and for the way he acts in the world. People come to celebrate the first time he is able to say the blessings over the torah, the jewish bible. It also means that Krista and I no longer have any responsibility for Eddie!!!! Woo Woo!!!!! Just kidding.
Eddie will lead the saturday morning service (the jewish sabbath), read from the torah, and make a speech and address the congregation.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR??
People come dressed nicely (as they would to attend a church service). Being that its Portland people will be dressed in a variety of ways, but you can't go wrong (for men) in business casual and a jacket, and a business casual type of way for Women. There will be people in suits as well.
The service will last about 90 minutes and starts at 10:30. After the service, there will be a "kiddush" where there is a blessing said over the wine.
Traditional greetings at the service are "shabbat shalom", "good Shabbos".
Wikipedia gives a ton more information on
bar mitzvahs.
Bar Mitzvah (Hebrew: בר מצוה) and Bat Mitzvah (Hebrew: בת מצוה) are Jewish coming of age rituals. According to Jewish law, when Jewish boys reach 13, they become responsible for their actions and become a Bar Mitzvah (plural:B'nai Mitzvah). The age for girls is 12. In addition to being considered responsible for their actions from a religious perspective, B'nai mitzvah may be counted towards a minyan (prayer quorum) and may lead prayer and other religious services in the family and the community. The age of B'nai Mitzvah was selected because it roughly coincides with physical puberty.[1] Prior to a child reaching Bar or Bat Mitzvah, the child's parents hold the responsibility for the child's actions. After this age, children bear their own responsibility for Jewish ritual law, tradition, and ethics and are able to participate in all areas of Jewish community life.[2]
