Wat is a Bar Mitzvah?

• Bar Mitzvah means "son of the commandments". This means that at the age of 13 a boy is considered responsible enough to keep the commandements of the Torah.

• The religious service is a right of passage when the boy is called to the Torah for the first time in his life.
• He has been studying for months so that he may read the weekly Torah and Haftara portion.
• After having read the Haftara portion a small speach is given.
• Finally the congregation throw candy at the Bar Mitzvah boy so that he may be showered with sweetness.

• The ceremony is usually followed by a Kiddush luncheon, where everyone rejoyces and dances in honnour of the milestone in this young man's life.

• It is customary to give the Bar Mitzvah a gift.
• The gifts that are given do not have to have religious implications. Often people tend to give money or gifts certificates in multiples of 18 which represent good luck and the symbol "Chai" which means life