Bat Mitzvah Ceremony

Rituals play a significant role in all cultures. A ritual ‘is the practice or embodiment of beliefs expressed in structured action or prescribed procedures that often link to the sacred.’ Rituals are created by taking events from everyday life and giving them some sort of symbolic meaning. As one of the founding concepts of our discipline, ritual has long been a cornerstone of anthropological thought: from the works of Emile Durkheim through Arnold van Gennep, Victor Turner and Terry Lovat. Within this presentation I will be outlining the similarities and differences between Bar Mitzvah and Confirmation, and I will also explain the impact which the ritual has on the individual and society

Preparations such as learning how to read the hebrew language, advancing to read the Torah and then learning their specific Haftorah section which is read front to back, which is the section that they will be read in one of their speeches. Bar Mitzvahs traditionally take place in Temple during a normal Saturday morning session after the boy’s 13th birthday. The Bar Mitzvah (boy) will be leading this Saturday session, and it is open to all members of the temple along with their family members or close friends whom they wish to attend and watch them make this transformation from child to man. The service tends to begin with a song and a moment of meditation. Following this the Bar Mitzvah (boy) is presented with a Tallit by their parents, and as it is being given to them the Rabbi is explaining the importance and significance of this religious garb to those in attendance. After this the Bar Mitzvah (boy) begins leading the service from the bima, a raised platform with a reading desk, whilst being assisted by the Rabbi. The participant then carries the Torah from the Ark, which houses it through the congregation up to the bima following a specific path, to begin the Torah passing ceremony from one generation to another until it ends with the Bar Mitzvah (boy) as the most recent member of the family to ascend into adulthood. Next the Torah reading is divided into 4 parts, 3 people, family

By their Bar or Bat Mitzvah day, they believe that these students are able to lead the

The white garment symbolizes the white garments Jesus wore when he was placed in the tomb after his death on Good Friday. An infant may wear a baptismal gown handed down for generations; an adult typically puts on a full-length white gown known as an alb’. (Gospel way, online, 2014) However, Jew’s believe in idea of Adulthood. Rather than initiating an infant, they wait for the boy or girl to become an adult in the eyes of the Jewish law. The religious ceremony of a boy's Bar Mitzvah is held in the synagogue. Many guests are invited, this includes important people of the Jewish community. “The child is given a special prayer shawl called a Tallit. When the child wears one at their Bar Mitzvah, it is a visual representation of their new status as an adult.” (Tracey. R. Rich, Bar Mitzvah, online, 2011) The child carries the Torah to the podium, they are called to read or chat from the Torah (the Torah is the Jewish holy scrolls and is written in Hebrew). Usually only adults are allowed to read from the Torah in the synagogue, but since the Bar Mitzvah symbolises the child's coming-of-age in the Jewish culture, he is seen as a grown adult and is able to read the torah in

Traditions are a constant in every culture. A tradition is considered a long-established or inherited way of thinking or acting (Shiraev & Levy, 2013). Jewish traditions include holidays, such as Yom Kippur, Hanukah, Shabbat, Passover, wedding ceremonies and receptions, and bar or bat mitzvahs. Beth explained and described Yom Kippur’s history and importance. Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. It signifies atonement and repentance. It is a 25-hour period of fasting and prayer,

Somehow, I managed to keep a smile on my face as if I had no fears. The ceremony included Bible verses and singing. I received six gifts from my aunts and uncles: a Bible, a bouquet of flowers, a ring, a bracelet, a rosary and a tiara. Each of them was blessed by the father. Each gift I received held a meaning: closeness with family and with God, and the passage to womanhood.

Nonetheless, they have differences between Confirmation and Bar and Bat Mitzvah. Even though it is stated that the Confirmation is a coming of age ceremony, newly converted adults can also confirm as well. To point out, running time of 12:37 in The Sacraments you can see that an adult is being confirmed by a minister. However, Bar and Bat Mitzvah are specifically for boys and girls who are thirteen years old (Esposito, 102). The ritual of Confirmation involves with anointing "the forehead with holy oil as a sign that the believer has received the Holy Spirit" (12:22). In order for boy and girl to be a Bar and Bat Mitzvah, respectively, they have to go through an intense training with the rabbi and recite scriptures during the service. After this ritual, they are considered adults and "boys are qualified to form part of the minyan (ten adult males) required for any Jewish worship service" (Esposito, 102). However, in Christianity, such groups do not

Hanukkah or” Chanukah” is an eight day and eight nights Jewish holiday established on the 25 of Kislev (Macaulay).Hanukkah dates are different every year. For 2015 Hanukkah is celebrated on the 6th of December thru December 14th (Chabad). Hanukkah is a celebration of the Jews victory against the Greek and the oil that lasted eight days and eight nights in the Holy Temple (ifcg). The origin of Hanukkah comes from the heroic victory from the Greeks.

The celebration of Kwanzaa is centered around seven principles one highlighted on each of the seven days and seven symbols. The number seven has been considered sacred and infused with metaphysical powers by many cultures in the world. It recurs repeatedly in creation and problem solving stories not only in the Judeo-Christian texts, but also prominently in the Islamic faith and the culture of Native Americans, specifically the Cherokee.

For many tribes of Plains Indians whose bison-hunting culture flourished during the 18th and 19th centuries, the sun dance was the major communal religious ceremony . . . the rite celebrates renewal - the spiritual rebirth of participants and their relatives as well as the regeneration of the living earth with all its components . . . The ritual, involving sacrifice and supplication to insure harmony between all living beings, continues to be practiced by many contemporary native Americans. -Elizabeth Atwood LawrenceAs the most important ritual of the nomadic Plains Indians, the Sun Dance in itself presents many ideas, beliefs, and values of these cultures. Through its rich symbolism and complicated rituals we are able to catch a glimpse

The main tradition is to put altars in some homes including the cross, picture or sculpture of Virgin Mary, and photos of the deceased person(s). Members of family gather around the altar and they pray. In some newer traditions children put masks, wear costumes and go from house to house while people give them some candies or money. Some of the

The most important celebration that takes place on the Friday of the Sabbath is the Shabbat dinner. This takes place at home with family and friends. The Shabbat table is laid with two loaves, known as "hallot" which, like the candles, represent the dual Shabbat commandments to keep and remember Sabbath, and cups, over which Kiddush is recited. The father blesses the children in order of age, before Kiddush is recited over the wine, which "gladdens the heart" (Psalm 104:15).

There are many different branches, called "traditions", of The Craft, most of which are based on the religious practices of one or more ancient cultures. There are Celtic Wiccans, Egyptian Wiccans, and Greek Wiccans. One of the newest traditions is a hybrid of Celtic Shamanism and the tribal religions of Ancient America. There is, however, a basic outline for conducting worship services that is followed by all covens and solitaries. A standard Wiccan worship service, or ritual, which takes place on one of the eight yearly sabbats (the solstices, equinoxes, and four Ancient Celtic agricultural festivals) or at an esbat (full moon), consists of the creation of sacred space(called "casting the circle;" this is done through visualization), prayers, and offerings (these are usually material possessions, plants, or handmade items; Wiccans never sacrifice animals or people), and a sharing of a simple meal with fellow witches (if a member of a coven) and the Deities. Worship services have many important purposes, but the main reason Wiccans perform rituals is to gain understanding of the energies of the divine and, ultimately, the energies contained in the witch himself/herself. The harnessing

The Bat Mitzvah event may not have been around as long as the Bar Mitzvah, but that doesn't mean a thing when it comes to celebration. Any host of a young woman's Bat Mitzvah party will usually have tons to do for the event. It can take a long time to properly plan the Bat Mitzvah party but it's worth it though to find to see all your guests celebrating that special event.

* Describe when the ritual takes place. Does it respond to some particular event? It is held at specific time of year? Is it held on a regular basis? Is it performed only when needed?