What is a Messianic Bar Mitzvah?

While better known as a Jewish custom, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are also embraced by some Christians and Jewish believers in Jesus (Messianic Jews). What value is there in having a Bar Mitzvah? And why would a believer in Jesus as the Messiah want to have one?

What is a Bar Mitzvah anyway?

Let’s start with the words “Bar Mitzvah”. “Bar” is the Aramaic word for “son” and “mitzvah” is the Hebrew word for “commandment”. So a “Bar Mitzvah” is a “son of the commandment”.

The term “Bar Mitzvah” can describe either the celebration (as in, “We’re going to attend a Bar Mitzvah”) or the person who has gone through the training and ceremony (as in, “He is now a bar mitzvah”).

Girls can also go through the Bar Mitzvah process. In that case, she would be called a Bat Mitzvah (pronounced “baht”, meaning daughter) and her ceremony would be called a Bat Mitzvah as well.

Whether boy or girl, at age 12 or 13, a Bar Mitzvah is held after he or she has completed training on the Jewish faith. This ceremony signifies that he or she is no longer a child, but is now on the way to becoming an adult. It’s the milestone that shows moral responsibility and the responsibility of one’s own faith transfers from the parent to the child.

In preparation for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a child will train for years, starting around age 9, with more concentrated training in the last year (their 11th or 12th year) before their Bar Mitzvah ceremony. This education equips them to be part of their spiritual community, similar to that of Catechism or Confirmation.

Once their training is complete, near or on their birthday, a special service is held at their synagogue, during which the child leads the Torah reading part of the service and reads the Torah in Hebrew. He or she also says the Shema and the blessings for the Torah reading.

The Torah portion read is often their “birth Torah”. This is the Torah portion read on the Shabbat of the week they were born. They also give a talk (like a mini-sermon) on the portion and how it’s meaningful to them.

The Bar Mitzvah service is often followed by a party, complete with gifts for the new bar mitzvah and dancing (usually Israeli Folk dancing).

Where did this custom come from?

Although Biblical principles are woven throughout the Bar Mitzvah, it’s not directly mentioned in the Bible. The earliest mention of this ceremony is in the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds, written as early as the 4th century. These are Jewish rabbinical writings meant to guide the daily activities of members of the Jewish community.

While Bar Mitzvahs have been held for centuries, ceremonies like the ones we see today date back to the Middle Ages. The Bat Mitzvah is a quite recent development, as it didn’t appear until the 20th century.

Bar Mitzvah in the Bible

Although the Bar Mitzvah ceremony itself isn’t in the Bible, many believe that there’s mention of Jesus’s Bar Mitzvah process. In Luke 2:41-52, Luke notes that Jesus was 12 when he was left behind and found at the Temple, talking with the rabbis there. He was also in Jerusalem for Passover, which is a Biblical requirement for men. At 12, he may have been in the process of preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, which includes both discussing scripture with rabbis and learning to keep the laws concerning the festivals.

Many suggest the age of 12, along with him making the trip to Jerusalem for Passover indicates that he was in the process of preparing for his Bar Mitzvah or was there for the event itself.

Why have a Bar Mitzvah if I’m not Jewish?

As Christians, we’re grafted in to the promises God gave to the people of Israel. Both the roots of our Biblical faith and our Messiah are Jewish. As we live out our faith, we try to continually grow and be more like Jesus. Practicing our faith like he practiced his will give us a better understanding of him and of our Bibles.

The other reason to have a Bar Mitzvah is to provide a solid spiritual foundation for those growing up with faith in the Bible and in Jesus as their savior. It also serves as a milestone for children as they head in to their young adult years. It gives them an official crossover from child to adulthood.

Also, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs aren’t just for 12 and 13 year olds! Those are just the minimum ages. Adults can have one too!

How to have a Messianic Bar Mitzvah

The guidelines for candidates for Bar and Bat Mitzvah differ between congregations. If you’re interested in having one for your son or daughter (or even yourself!). Contact the rabbi or pastor of your Messianic or other congregation to inquire about their Bar Mitzvah procedures.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah candidates (or B’nei Mitzvot) should learn the following basics (ideally starting around 9 years old):

• The Hebrew Language – Candidates should have a solid understanding of Biblical Hebrew. B’nei should be able to read from the Torah and read and say the Torah reading blessings in Hebrew.

• Their Torah portion: the content as well as how to read it in both Hebrew and English. Use these links to find the Torah Portion for your birthdate and print it out in Hebrew and English.

• How to say the Shema and understand what it means.

• How to understand, read and say the Torah reading blessings from the Siddur (prayer book).

• How to handle the Torah scrolls, ark, and other implements with reverence and respect.

• The values and beliefs of their faith.

• The religious practices of their faith.

Most Messianic Bar Mitzvahs include the following:

• The Bar or Bat performing all or part of the Torah Service.

• The Bar or Bat reading the Torah portion in Hebrew from the Torah scroll.

• The Bar or Bat giving a midrash (mini-sermon) on what the Holy Spirit has taught him or her through their Torah portion.

• Baptism (mikveh) may be included.

• Boys may wear a tallit (prayer shawl) and girls may wear a head-covering.

• Some sort of celebration afterward, which can be potluck-style.

A Bar Mitzvah is a milestone in the life of a young person and can provide them with a firm spiritual foundation for life. It’s a meaningful ceremony and a clear point at which someone takes responsibility for their spiritual life and becomes a functioning member in their faith community. It’s also a time where one can declare his or her faith in the God of the Bible and messiah, Jesus.