Bar Mitzvah
Bar Mitzvah means “son of the commandments.” According to Jewish law, there are 613 commandments (Mitzvot) — actions we should proactively do or carefully avoid doing. God holds adults accountable for following these Mitzvot, while holding parents accountable for their children’s behavior. When a boy becomes a Bar Mitzvah, he becomes fully responsible for his own behavior – for following the mitzvoth. In essence, he becomes an adult.

The Morning’s Services
As we do every Shabbat morning, we start with preliminary prayers, then move on to the major parts of the service: Shacharit (morning service), the Torah service, and Musaf (special additional service for Shabbat). On this morning, Gil will participate in these services as a Jewish adult. He will wear his new tallit (prayer shawl), manifest his new adult status by leading the both the Torah and Musaf services, and share his thoughts about the importance of today’s Torah portion. He will also be called up for an aliyah (honor), and he will chant Torah and Haftarah (reading from the Prophets).

Two Books
We will use two books this morning. The primary blue prayer book (Siddur) can be found at your seat. During the Torah service, we will use the larger red book (Chumash) that contains the entire Torah (five books of Moses) and the Haftarahs (prophets). If you did not receive a Chumash when you came in, you can get one from the book rack outside the sanctuary. Both books are in Hebrew with English translation and read from right to left. Most of the service is in Hebrew. Feel free to look through the Siddur or Chumash to find readings and commentaries in English that inspire you.

Kippah
Men and boys are required to wear a Kippah (head covering) while in the synagogue. It is optional for women. The custom of wearing a head covering is a Jewish form of reverence and respect for God. Kippot that commemorate today’s simcha (celebration) are available in the lobby.

Tallit
The Tallit (prayer shawl) is worn by Jewish worshippers during morning and afternoon services. The primary purpose of the Tallit is to hold the special knots (tzitzit) at the four corners, which are to remind us of the 613 Mitzvot (commandments). Both men and women wear a tallit when coming up to the Torah. Gil chose his Tallit specially for this ceremony.

Candy
We hope you picked up a piece or two of candy when you entered the sanctuary. As Gil finishes the blessings following the Haftarah, we will each toss candy at him — showering him with the “sweetness of the day.”