BAR MITZVAH Definition & Meaning

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bar mitzvah

Or bar miz·vah

[bahr mits-vuh, bahr, bahr meets-vah]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

(often initial capital letters)

a solemn ceremony held in the synagogue, usually on Saturday morning, to admit as an adult member of the Jewish community a Jewish boy 13 years old who has successfully completed a prescribed course of study in Judaism.
the boy participating in this ceremony.

verb (used with object)

to administer the ceremony of bar mitzvah to.
Our son was bar mitzvahed at the family synagogue.

Bar Mitzvah

/ bɑː ˈmɪtsvə /

adjective

(of a Jewish boy) having assumed full religious obligations, being at least thirteen years of age

noun

the occasion, ceremony, or celebration of that event
the boy himself on that day

bar mitzvah

An important ceremony and social event in Judaism marking the beginning of religious responsibility for Jewish boys of thirteen. Bar mitzvah is Hebrew for “son of the commandment.”

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of bar mitzvah¹

1860–65; < Biblical Aramaic bar son + Hebrew ��ṣw�� divine law, commandment

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of bar mitzvah¹

Hebrew: son of the law

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Right-wing figures lobbed threatening slurs at the author, state Rep. Noah Arbit, a gay Jewish Democrat who spoke alongside Nessel at Temple Israel, which is in his district and where he celebrated his bar mitzvah.

From

The vibe before the screening of “Final Reckoning” was a bit bar mitzvah.

From

They became creative partners when Cooper’s mother hired Burke to direct a video for her son’s bar mitzvah.

From

There are kids who will have their bar mitzvah this year who never have lived through an October without the Dodgers in the playoffs.

From

We already know about the Minnesotan’s penchant for self-revision and self-destruction and the film includes a bar mitzvah photo in a secret scrapbook.

From

Barmen barmy

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