- THE COMING OF AGE -
Black - As according to Jewish traditions
Blue - Additional gleanings
for Biblical Patriarchal Christians
Introduction
How
should we deal with our “coming of age”? Put on a backpack, leave home and
begin a desperate search for our identity? Try out drugs to discover who we
are? Well, many do not handle this phase well but continue to grope in
darkness for the rest of their life. Surely God has a better way for this very
difficult period of identity search in our life, which opens the door to true
fulfillment. Thus it is important to give it a right start. So, let us
experience the “God’s kind” of maturing process.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah is the
Hebrew phrase for “coming of age” or “commandment age”. A boy becomes
Bar Mitzvah (son of commandment) when he reaches thirteen years old and for a
girl, a Bat Mitzvah (daughter of commandment) when she is twelve. It brings
the child’s early years to a formal conclusion and into the beginning of
adulthood. The child would be recognized as an adult and is henceforth
responsible for observing the Mitzvot (commandments) and laws of God. The
parents are no longer held accountable.
The 4
milestones in the Jewish life are “circumcision”, “bar/bat mitzvah”,
“marriage” and “death”. As most girls begin to mature physically at an
earlier age than boys, twelve was the age chosen for a girl’s passage to
adulthood. It is about the age when girls begin to menstruate. For boys, it is
also an age of much physical changes and growth into becoming young men.
In the past, no public
celebration or formal ceremony was made when a girl reaches Bat Mitzvah. This
is because their ministry is usually at home, and they are the ones to prepare
for festive feasts. Girls, in the earlier years have no religious connections
and have no real significance in the synagogue (not allowed to have the
ceremony in the synagogue). Only
a small family dinner was held to honor the girl’s twelfth birthday, and her
parents would simply recite a traditional blessing freeing them from the
responsibility of her religious conduct. Only in this Modern Era (since 1922),
an increasing number of Jewish congregations hold formal ceremonies to
celebrate the girl’s Bat Mitzvah.
In Biblical
Patriarchy, by the spirit of the Law, girls should also be recognized for
their place in the Kingdom of God especially “female sons” in the
ministry, who like any other men have invested much with their lives also.
The Preparatory Years
Before
Bar/Bat Mitzvah, they are considered as children and are not obligated to
observe the commandments although they are encouraged to do so as much as
possible to learn the obligations they will have as Jewish adults. They are
responsible only as part of chinuch (training). Children are prepared for
their Bar/Bat Mitzvah by attending some years of Jewish education. Some begin
as early as from the time they enter kindergarten.
The importance of the preparatory years before the child reaches bar
mitzvah age applies both naturally and spiritually. As Torah believing
parents, it is our duty and responsibility to raise and teach our children the
ways of God even at a young age. The study of child psychology has also proven
that development of the child is formed in the early years and thus it is
never too early to impart the ways of God into our children. If we do not take
on the awesome responsibility to impart into them, the world will do so and
thus increase the risk of them departing from the walk of God when they grow
up. Likewise as leaders (spiritual parents) over the young in the Lord, there
is a need to instill spiritual discipline in them as early as the day they are
birthed into the Kingdom of God. The growth progress will have to be watched
over conscientiously and the ways of God imparted into them with no compromise
to the standard of God in order to groom them to be strong spiritual adults of
the future.
They
will have to learn about Jewish ethics, holidays, commandments, prayer,
history and the Hebrew language. There are also smaller groups or individual
discussion sessions to talk about anything from sexual ethics to Israeli
politics. They would also learn to read and recite the Torah (first five books
of the bible) and Haftarah (Prophetic books) either through tape or through the Trop
System (singing through a system of musical notation). Some parents even
engage
a personal teacher to teach their children. The teachings intensify as the big
day approaches.
The learning of the Word is to be emphasized in the growth process.
It should influence and permeate our life and become not just knowledge but a
way of life.
There
is no specific commandment or laws set out as to how it should be celebrated.
It is up to the creativity & confidence of the teacher and the child to
work towards something in preparation for the day itself. In this, it
encourages the child to display his talents. He may choose to act, present a
mime or even present his opinion of a portion of the Torah.
Isn’t this likened to the coming of age in our spiritual growth,
to be able to contribute in simple acts of service in the ministry? Whatever
talents God has given to us, we should use it well. We should also be careful
not to compare and be covetous over what others have, nor belittle that which
is given to us. Be faithful with that which is given and surely the Lord will
increase (Matt 25:23). It is an act of faith to see beyond what we can do, to
allow the Lord to use us for His work.
Some
other requirements of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah would include giving to tzedakah
(charity) or acts of voluntary work. The adults would only guide and help
them. The child would be the one taking the lead in handling the projects.
“Me and my needs” were probably the main concern in a child’s
life. At this stage of entering into adulthood, the practice of considering
for others becomes a requirement to maturity to fulfill the commandment of
“love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt 22:39).
The “Grand Day”
It
is usually celebrated at the Shabbat closest to their bar mitzvah. This day is
memorable and of much significance to the child as it marks the day of
adulthood. The Talmud makes no mention of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony but it
has become a custom to do so though not needed to fulfill any commandment. In
modern times, the religious service is followed by a reception that is often
as elaborate as a wedding reception. How it is done depends much on the
desires and beliefs of the bar mitzvah and his family. The venue of the
ceremony can be in the synagogue, a function hall or even in Israel. It can
also be simply conducted in the havurot (small prayer group).
It is a day of celebration of the adding on of strength to the
community. The many years of investment in the child has now produced another
“torch” to the world. The investment of yesterday will result in what it
is today and the investment of today will result in what it will be tomorrow.
At this stage, it should be a new cycle of a great victory ahead and thus, the
investment must never come to a stop.
On
the day itself, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah would be called up to the bimah (raised
platform in the synagogue where the Torah is read) to read the Torah. He may
also be told to lead in certain prayers during the service or recite the
Haftarah (prophetic books). This would be his first aliyah. It is also
required that he delivers a speech, which traditionally begins with the phrase
“today I am a man”. Before the congregation, he is to also honor &
express thanks to his parents & elders. The parents may also address the
child publicly
In this, the commandment of “honor thy parents” is fulfilled (Ex
20:12). In the day of victory and honor, it is important that we give thanks
& show appreciation to whom it is due, to those who have taught us the
ways of God and unreservedly imparted into our lives to make us what we are.
This is the mark of one who has grown up.
Upon Becoming A Bar/Bat Mitzvah
After
the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the child legally enters into adulthood in the eyes of
Judaism, thus formally marking the assumption of obligations as a Jewish
adult. This means the following :
They
are responsible to observe the 613 mitzvot (commandments).
They
are also required to fast on fasting days ie on Yom Kippur and Tishah B’av.
They
are now counted in a minyan (prayer quorum of ten).
They
are eligible for aliyot (being called up to read the Torah).
They
are responsible to wear the tefillin (prayer boxes worn during weekday morning
worship).
They
are also given the right to take part in religious services, to form binding
contracts, to testify before religious courts and to marry.
By no means would God compel us, but we should fulfill His
commandments out of love and gratitude to Him, our Maker and Master. It is a
paradox to experience the joy of a deeper commitment in Him and the sorrow of
carrying the burden of the unfinished work of the Kingdom. That which was
considered a form of training has become real responsibilities to carry
through
the rest of the years on earth.
Though
the person should continue to study the Torah after his bar mitzvah, it may
also mean the end of his Jewish commitment if he so chooses. He has come of
age and has the volition to stop attending services and even withdraw from
synagogue membership. Therefore in some Jewish community, a confirmation
ceremony is observed at about the age of 16 to 18 to keep them continuing in
their Jewish education and to confirm them into further commitment into
adulthood.
The Bar/Bat Mitzvah day should not mark the end of the young
person’s Jewish education. Rather it should be the beginning of a life lived
as a responsible adult, continuing to pursue the richness of the Torah.
Likewise, as believers of Christ, our Bar/Bat Mitzvah should be a day that
marks our commitment to God and to live as a responsible adult before God and
before men.
Corina
Jan, 2000
RESTORATION
OF BIBLICAL PATRIARCHY
HEBRAIC ROOTS OF
CHRISTIANITY
