Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah : The Ceremony
The bar mitzvah (a son of commandment) is the ritual which commemorates the passage of a young male to maturity. The bar mitzvah takes place on the boy's thirteenth birthday. (For a girl, the bat mitzvah (daughter of commandment) is celebrated on her 12th birthday.) Usually, the celebration occurs in the synagogue, where the young boy has a large role to play in the worshipping service. He reads from the Torah, says the blessings, as well as recites bits from the Prophets. He may also be invited to recite an original prayer or give an explanation of a Biblical or Talmudic subject. The bar/bat mitzvah is usually followed by a party or a meal.

In the nineteenth century, Reform Judaism created a ceremony of confirmation which is carried out instead of the bar mitzvah. The celebration is carried out in a more of a group format. This festival usually takes place near the feast of Shavut. Some Reform Jews even celebrate the confirmation at the age of sixteen. This sixteen was chosen, as at this age, the people would be able to understand the commitments to responsible living.