INTERPRETING TRADITIONS
Relationships and Identity
Relationships and Marriage
While one’s bar or bat mitzvah may be many years away from their marriage, marriages and relationships play an important role in bar and bat mitzvahs. In the context of the bar or bat mitzvah, the marriage of note is that of the bar or bat mitzvah’s parents. In some Jewish denominations, a child is only Jewish, and therefor able to have a bar or bat mitzvah, if both parents are Jewish. This is derived from Mishnah Kiddushin 3:12, which states, “wherever there is kiddushin [engagement] and there is transgression, the child goes after the status of the flawed parent.”[1] In this instance, it is said that the non-Jewish parent is flawed and is the decider of the child’s religious status. This statement has also been understood to consider Jews to only be those whose mother is Jewish, known as matrilineal descent. In more modern times, denominational organizations have shifted beliefs on the issue of descent. Today, the Reform and Reconstructionist movements recognize Jews of patrilineal descent.[2] In doing so, intermarriage was also affirmed, though intermarriage has been separately recognized by both the Reform and Reconstructionist movements.[3] These movements made this decision due to their focus on meaningfulness of traditions.[4] However, Orthodox and Conservative Jewish movements continue to only recognize matrilineal descent and do not recognize intermarriage. According to Dana Evan Kaplan, these decisions are related to efforts to ensure a strong Jewish identity and status for the child.[5]
[1] Sefaria, “Mishnah Kiddushin 3:12,” Sefaria.org, Accessed June 27, 2020
[2] Kaplan, Dana Evan. “Who Is a Jew: Patrilineal Descent.” My Jewish Learning. Accessed June 28, 2020. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/patrilineal-descent/.
[3] Wiener, Julie. “Intermarriage: Jewish Attitudes.” My Jewish Learning. Accessed June 28, 2020. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/intermarriage-jewish-attitudes/.
[4] Butler, Diedre. “Module 9 Lecture 2 – Denominations: Today.” Video Lecture, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, 2020.
[5] Kaplan, “Who is a Jew.” My Jewish Learning.
Sex and Gender
As explicitly gendered practices, issues of sex and gender are important in understanding the bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies. In issues of gender, much is derived from Genesis 1:27: “God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”[1] In this verse, liberal Jewish denominations find meaning behind their belief in gender equity. However, more orthodox denominations see the verse’s final six words to represent the division between male and female in Judaism. In orthodox congregations, how this verse is understood equates to how much public engagement with Torah is present in a bat mitzvah ceremony – or if a ceremony is held at all. Some liberal congregations today are also accepting of gender-non-conforming celebrations of this ceremony, utilizing the term “b’nai mitzvah”, which is also the plural term for bar and bat mitzvah.[2] Alongside gender, sexual orientation is noteworthy in b’nai mitzvah celebrations. Currently, Orthodox Judaism does not fully accept LGBTQ+ Jews through its prohibition of homosexuality. Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist Jewish movements are accepting of LGBTQ+ Jews, although anal sex is prohibited in Conservative biblical interpretations.[3] For a bar or bat mitzvah, acceptance in the community celebrating this ceremony is of high importance. Without such acceptance, the ceremony has little meaning of true religious significance.
[1] Sefaria, “Genesis 1:27,” Sefaria.org, Accessed June 27, 2020
[2] Shachar-Hill, Essie. “A Guide for the Gender Neutral B-Mitzvah.” Keshet. Accessed June 29, 2020. https://www.keshetonline.org/resources/a-guide-for-the-gender-neutral-b-mitzvah/.
[3] Butler, Diedre. “Module 10 Lecture 2 – Male Homosexuality.” Video Lecture, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, 2020.
Discrimination and its Impacts
Holocaust
As a Jewish lifecycle celebration, the bar and bat mitzvah represent a celebration of all that is to be celebrated in Jewish life. During the Holocaust, as Jews were systemically persecuted and murdered for their very existence as a people, there was a great struggle to celebrate this. As Peter Kenez wrote of his experience as a bar mitzvah during the Holocaust, the celebration of a bar mitzvah represented the community’s hope for the future and for the next generation. In spite of attacks on religious education and synagogues, Jews persisted to learn and celebrate bar mitzvahs. According to Kenez, losing these elements of life meant a great deal, stating “when Jewish business people were losing their livelihood – the celebration of the bar mitzvah was to be an act of affirmation.”[1] Through secret Hebrew education and these celebrations, the next generation sought to uphold their community through their religious commitment.
[1] Kenez, Peter. “Bar Mitzvah in Szekesfehervar.” Judaism 44, no. 1 (1995): 104.
Post-Holocaust
In the shadows of the legacy of the Holocaust, many bar and bat mitzvah ceremonies today hold particular significance due to the impacts and effects of the Holocaust on the Jewish people. As noted in Bar/Bat Mitzvah Basics, a guidebook for the ceremony and traditions, many families directly connected to the Holocaust see bar and bat mitzvah celebrations as a proclamation of their family’s survival and existence. In recalling the suffering of their predecessors, many see the further sharing of Torah learning as a reward to those who held Judaism so tightly during the Holocaust.[1] This nature of sentiment is seen widespread. Rabbi Joseph Soleveitchik once stated that the Holocaust was an opportunity to build soul. Lubavitcher Rebbe Schneerson similarly said that he saw Holocaust victims to be martyrs.[2] In all of this, we see the shared belief that the memory of the Holocaust must be kept alive through Jewish practice and celebrations such as b’nai mitzvah.
[1] Hilton, Michael. “Bar Mitzvah: A History.” Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 2014, 54.
[2] Butler, Diedre. “Module 11 Lecture 2 – Jewish Responses During and After the Holocaust.” Video Lecture, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, 2020.
Zionism and Israel
Secular and Religious Zionism
At its core, Zionism is the belief that Jews are a nation in a modern sense who were a minority in exile in a diaspora condition that was not working. Ultimately, this belief holds the goal of national autonomy and sovereignty for the Jewish people. Among secular Zionists, this means that Zionism is a national project to be proactively worked on. This belief was shared by preeminent Zionist leaders such as Theodore Herzl.[1] Conversely, religious Zionists do not believe in active participation in the Zionist cause. Rather, they believe in passivity, as God is who will ultimately lead the Jewish return to Israel.[2] While an undoubtedly religious occasion, the b’nai mitzvah is not an inherently religious Zionist event. Rather, the bar mitzvah, through prayers regarding Israel in both the biblical and modern sense, celebrate Israel for what it is in its existence. The bar mitzvah and the prayers and readings associated with it do not grapple with the creation of Israel, instead positively discussing the topic and celebrating its existence and struggles.
[1] Snitkoff, Rabbi Ed. “Secular Zionism.” My Jewish Learning. Accessed June 28, 2020. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/secular-zionism/.
[2] Butler, Diedre. “Module 12 Lecture 2 – Zionism.” Video Lecture, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, 2020.
Zionism and Denominations
Not all denominations of Judaism place an emphasis on Zionism. In fact, some denominations of Judaism, such as the Satmar and Neturei Karta, are anti-Zionist.[1] As a seminal Jewish celebration, the influence of Zionism or lack thereof in a bar mitzvah is noteworthy. In Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism today, Zionism plays an important role. Modern prayer in synagogues is done in the direction of Israel and Jerusalem, with numerous prayers and readings often done in reference to modern day Israel. This is most notable in Conservative and Reform Judaism, which are noted to be the most Zionist of mainstream Jewish denominations.[2]This Zionism is pervasive throughout the synagogue and prayer experience; thus, it is impactful upon the bar and bat mitzvah. In participating in a prayer service at a synagogue of this nature, and leading the congregation in prayer and Torah, a bar or bat mitzvah is celebrating not only their Judaism but also their Zionism. While the impacts of this may vary among congregations, the evolution of the b’nai mitzvah to hold Zionism as an important element remains.
[1] Butler, Diedre. “Module 9 Lecture 2 – Denominations: Today.” Video Lecture, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, 2020.
[2] Ibid.