A bar mitzvah is a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony for boys when they turn 13 years old. The Hebrew phrase means “son of the commandment,” marking the moment when a Jewish boy becomes responsible for following Jewish law and tradition as an adult member of his community.

During the ceremony, which takes place in a synagogue (a Jewish house of worship), the boy reads from the Torah, the sacred text of Judaism, often in Hebrew. This requires months of study and practice. Family and friends gather to witness this milestone, similar to how other cultures and religions mark the transition from childhood to young adulthood.

After the religious service, families typically host a celebration with food, music, and dancing. The bar mitzvah boy might give a speech thanking his parents and teachers, and reflecting on what this responsibility means to him.

For girls, the equivalent ceremony is called a bat mitzvah, usually celebrated at age 12 or 13, depending on the Jewish community's traditions. Both ceremonies represent a religious milestone and a recognition that the young person is mature enough to take on adult responsibilities within their faith and community.