In Talmudic times, children were allowed to perform ritual commandments (bless the Torah and wear tefillin) as soon as they were capable of performing and understanding these mitzvot. At age 13 a young boy became “bar mitzvah“, meaning the age of majority and his father thanked God for no longer being responsible for his son’s observance.
Only in the Middle Ages, were minors barred from performing ritual mitzvot, and thus, the celebration of a boy’s first public observance –being called to the Torah for a blessing on the Sabbath nearest his13th birthday — became a celebration called Bar Mitzvah.
But the early Jewish Reformers of the 19th century were disturbed both by the timing and the relevance of the bar mitzvah ceremony. Thus they promoted an alternative (or additional) ceremony called Confirmation. Confirmation focused on doctrine rather than ritual, was coeducational, and occurred at age 16 or 17 so as to prolong the child’s Jewish education as well as to better reflect the true conferring of religious obligations and adulthood upon the student.
While Temple Beth Or’s 10th grade has thus far been reviewing topics of Jewish literacy (things the students need to know as adult Jews in this world) we now dedicate much of our spring to writing a unique Confirmation liturgy for the Sabbath nearest Shavuot, May 21. Many of our Confirmands have helped lead family services at Temple Beth Or for 10 years, and their Confirmation Service is always a wonderful occasion, reflecting the class’s special memories, talents and individuality. I know that like me, you will be delighted, with the offerings of their hearts and minds.
Shalom,
Rabbi Judy Chessin
I left the temple today feeling great. It was a long day, but one of great joy. I watched our religious school students sing their hearts out. I heard a gifted and well travelled artist comment on the “special ruach” of our temple. And I watched my baby be passed, cuddled and loved upon by person after person. I saw grandmas sitting next to preschoolers, rabbis next to congressmen, architects, past presidents, and custodial staff smiling and looking around with such pride. It was a great day to be at Temple Beth Or and an even greater one to be your rabbi.
