Judaism: Birth & Coming of Age Rituals (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Brit Milah

What is Brit Milah?

• Brit Milah is the Hebrew term used to describe the religious circumcision of boys at eight days old or of males converting to Judaism:

  • It is carried out by a Mohel (male) or, in some Reform communities, a Mohelet (female)

  • Circumcision involves the removal of the foreskin and is a traditional Jewish practice 

  • Circumcision dates back to the Book of Genesis, when God commands Abraham to circumcise himself and his offspring as a sign of the covenant between Jews and God

What are the rituals of Brit Milah?

• Certain practices are common during the Brit Milah ceremony

  • During the ceremony, a male or female friend or relative acts as a messenger, or a kvatter

  • The female kvatter will hand the baby to the male kvatter, who will be wearing a tallit

  • He will carry the boy into a room where the males of the family are gathered

  • The child is placed on the lap of the Sandek

    • A Sandek is someone chosen by the parents as a great honour; it is often the grandfather

  • The Mohel recites a blessing before the baby is circumcised

• As soon as the Mohel begins the circumcision, the father (or, in some cases, both parents) recites:

• All people present then respond

• The Mohel then blesses a cup of wine and announces the baby's name in Hebrew and English

• A drop of wine is placed on the baby's tongue

• It is performed in front of a minyan

• The baby is placed on a cushion on an empty chair that is known as Elijah’s chair:

  • This represents an ancient belief that the spirit of Elijah visits every circumcision

• After the circumcision, the father receives a blessing

• During the Brit Milah, a prayer is said that shows the importance of the ceremony for a child’s relationship with God:

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Bar Mitzvah

What is a Bar Mitzvah?

• The term Bar Mitzvah literally means "Son of the Commandments"

• Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies mark the transition into adulthood for young Jews

• At age 13, a boy becomes a Bar Mitzvah, and at age 12, a girl becomes a Bat Mitzvah

• After these ceremonies, Jewish boys or girls become responsible for living according to Jewish Law and obeying the mitzvot in the Torah

  • At this point, each young person has to accept the law and its obligations, participate fully in synagogue services and set a good example for others

  • After the ceremony, a Jewish boy can be counted as part of a minyan, and in Reform synagogues, girls who are Bat Mitzvah can also be counted

• Traditionally, a boy’s Bar Mitzvah will take place on Saturday (Shabbat), but many will hold the Bar Mitzvah service on a weekday morning as well

What happens during the Bar Mitzvah service?

• During the ceremony, the rabbi gives a talk, speaking to both the boy and his family and to the rest of the community:

  • The boy is called to the Torah (called an aliyah) for the first time

  • He reads a portion of the Torah and sometimes the Haftarah (a reading from the prophets), usually in Hebrew

  • In Orthodox Judaism, the boy begins to wear tefillin (small leather boxes with verses from the Torah) during weekday morning prayers

  • He recites the blessings before and after reading the Torah

  • The father recites a blessing thanking God for freeing him from responsibility for the child’s actions

  • The boy might also give a talk to the people gathered

  • It is traditional for the boy to receive gifts 

  • Usually, a boy’s Bar Mitzvah service will be held at the synagogue, though some may choose to hold it in a private venue

• Following the Bar Mitzvah service, there is typically a celebration or reception

Orthodox views on Bat Mitzvah and Bat Chayil

• In Orthodox Judaism, men and women have different religious roles based on the traditional interpretation of the Torah

  • Only men are required to wear tefillin, read from the Torah or be counted in a minyan 

  • Women are valued for their role in maintaining the Jewish home, family and faith

  • Therefore, girls’ ceremonies focus on learning, faith and family responsibilities rather than synagogue leadership

What is a Bat Mitzvah?

• Unlike the Bar Mitzvah, the Bat Mitzvah is not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible

  • The ceremony of the Bar Mitzvah dates back to the sixth century, but the observance of the Bat Mitzvah was only introduced in the United States in 1922

• The Bat Mitzvah is only practised by Reform and Liberal Jewish communities, not Orthodox

• Traditionally, within Judaism, males and females are not thought to have the same responsibilities

  • As a result, in some Jewish communities, certain rules (such as the requirement to read from the Torah) are less strict for girls than they are for boys

• The Bat Mitzvah ceremony follows a similar pattern to the Bar Mitzvah and happens around a girl’s 12th birthday

• Although a Bat Mitzvah ceremony is not required by Jewish law, it is used to recognise a Jewish girl as a woman and to define her as such in her community

• Reform and Liberal Jews today consider the Bat Mitzvah in a similar way to the Bar Mitzvah

What happens at a Bat Mitzvah service?

• The Bat Mitzvah Service varies depending on the Jewish tradition

  • In Reform and Liberal Judaism, the girl may lead parts of the service, read from the Torah or deliver a d’var Torah (speech explaining a Torah passage)

    • She may also lead prayers in Hebrew and English

• After the synagogue part, there is often a celebration or meal with family and friends

• Like with a Bar Mitzvah, the Bat Mitzvah girl may give a speech reflecting on her role and responsibility as a Jewish woman

What is a Bat Chayil?

• Bat Chayil means “Daughter of Worth” in Hebrew

  • It is a coming-of-age celebration for Orthodox Jewish girls, often used instead of a Bat Mitzvah

  • It is celebrated when a girl reaches the age of 12

  • In Orthodox Judaism, girls usually do not lead synagogue services or read from the Torah publicly

• Bat Chayil offers a way to celebrate spiritual maturity in a way that fits Orthodox beliefs about modesty and gender roles

What happens at a Bat Chayil ceremony?

• The Bat Chayil ceremony is often held at home, in a school hall or at a community centre

  • The girl gives a speech about a Jewish topic or a woman from Jewish history

  • Family and friends attend, and it often includes songs, poems or presentations

• In Orthodox practice:

  • There is no public reading from the Torah in the main service

  • The girl may recite a prayer or give a short d’var Torah (talk about Jewish teaching) at a separate family or youth event

  • Some families hold a special meal or party to mark the occasion

• The ceremony marks the girl’s new responsibilities under Jewish law

  • The girl becomes responsible for Mitzvot (commandments) such as lighting Shabbat candles, tzedakah (charity) and modest behaviour

  • She is now considered a spiritually mature member of the Jewish community

Reform views on Bat Mitzvah and Bat Chayil

What are Reform views on Bat Mitzvah and Bat Chayil?

• In Reform Judaism, girls and boys are equal in religious responsibility, so both celebrate reaching religious adulthood in the same way

• Reform communities do not use the Bat Chayil ceremony

  • This is because the Bat Mitzvah already provides equal religious recognition for girls and boys

• Reform Jews believe men and women are equal before God and that both can fully participate in public worship

• A girl’s Bat Mitzvah is therefore the same status as a boy’s Bar Mitzvah

  • This reflects Reform values of gender equality, modern understanding and adaptation of tradition

• Reform Jews use the biblical quote “All are made in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27) to support equal religious participation

What happens during a Bat Mitzvah ceremony in Reform Judaism

• The event is usually held during a synagogue service on Shabbat morning

  • The girl will:

    • Read from the Torah (in Hebrew and sometimes in the local language)

    • Lead part of the service or prayers

    • Give a short d’var Torah (teaching or reflection)

    • Be called to the Bimah (platform) for her aliyah (honour of reading blessings)

  • The congregation, led by the rabbi (male or female), joins in blessing her

  • A celebration meal with family and community often follows the ceremony

What is the significance of the Bat Mitzvah ceremony in Reform Judaism?

• The Bat Mitzvah is significant both for the individual and for how the service reflects upon Reform Judaism

  • It marks the girl’s full religious maturity and her equality within the community

  • It also encourages her to continue Jewish study and worship as an adult

  • It reinforces personal faith, moral responsibility and community involvement

  • It symbolises Reform Judaism’s aim to balance tradition with modern values