Bar Mitzvah Explanation

 

When a Jewish boy reaches 13 years of age he is ready to become responsible to observe the commandments of the Torah (all 613 of them!).  This is Bar Mitzvah.

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A boy's Bar Mitzvah takes place in a Synagogue (Jewish place of worship) during the service on Shabbat (Saturday morning).  You will see Charles wearing a tallit (prayer shawl) which has 613 fringes - one for every commandment of the Torah!  Charles will be called up to read from the Torah (the Hebrew Bible) and will stand on the Bimah (platform) with the Chazan (leader of the service), who has been teaching him for the past year.