Breaking The Jewish Code Perry Stone

and His commandments. A family meal should follow the ceremony. You may wish to affix a small child’s mezuzah to the right door frame of the infant’s room. If you choose a home celebration, be sure to inform all parties involved of their importance and duties during the dedication. The birth of both a son and a daughter should be celebrated and confirmed by a public or private dedication The next celebration occurs when a Jewish boy (or girl) reaches the age of thirteen. The young boy experiences a ceremony called bar mitzvah , and the girls, bat mitzvah . The word mitzvah means, “commandment.” Since bar in Hebrew means “son,” and bat in Hebrew means “daughter,” the phrase bar mitzvah means a son to whom the commandments apply. In the Bible, all of God’s commandments are called mitzvoth . These ceremonies are a celebration recognizing the coming of age for sons and daughters when reaching the significant age of thirteen. Several times in Israel I have watched the bar mitzvah ceremonies at the famed Western Wall (called by some the Wailing Wall). The female family members and friends stand behind a large stone partition, separating them from the men’s section of the plaza. Eventually, the male relatives exit from a ceremony. This is the first stage of life. Stage 2: The celebration of adulthood