Our most recent trip was to Boston, was for a Bar Mitzvah.
According to the Webster Dictionary, a Bar Mitzvah is an initiation ceremony marking the 13th birthday of a Jewish boy and signifying the beginning of religious responsibility. And Wikipedia states that a Bar Mitzvah is a Jewish coming of age rituals for boys (Bat Mitzvah for girls). According to Jewish law, when Jewish children reach 13 years of age, they become responsible for their actions.
This seems very simple definitions for what I have seen at the two Bar Mitzvahs I have attended. The boys go through 8 - 10 years of instruction, learn a different language in a character based alphabet instead of a letter based alphabet, expected to give a lesson on the part of Torah they have read and studied, and to top it all off, they then have to deal with their families for several days surrounding the Bar Mitzvah. I have learned a lot from the preparations. From the Kiddish (food after the service) to the dinner and party the night of the service, it was twice as much as I did for my wedding. Although my wedding was 100 years ago and gas was $0.01 a gallon, I still didn't go through near what is needed for what boils down to a party for a 13 year old.
I am extremely proud of both boys. Pierce did a beautiful job this weekend and I couldn't be prouder if he were my own.
Lindsey was comic relief as normal. After the service, she stated that now it is time for Andrew to be Bar Mitzvahed. I tried to explain that it would be a little difficult for that to happen since Andrew hasn't been studying and we aren't Jewish. Also that I don't think the Temple would let a Mormon be Bar Mitzvahed. She was just a little confused and is still convinced that Andrew will be Bar Mitzvahed.
Pierce
Bob and his bevy of beauties.
