CCAR RESPONSA
Contemporary American Reform Responsa
156. Sunday Morning Bar/Bat
Mitzvahs*
QUESTION: It is no longer possible for the congregation to
schedule the large number of Bar/Bat Mitzvahs which recent growth has imposed on
shabbat morning, Friday evening or even shabbat afternoon, without making this
a meaningless ceremony. Would it be possible, therefore, to schedule Bar/Bat Mitzvah on
Sunday morning and have the Torah read as part of the regular week-day morning
service? (Rabbi M. Winer, Commack, NY)ANSWER: It is, of course, the desire of
the Bar/Bat Mitzvah to proclaim publicly that the youngster can now be part of the
minyan (Meg. 23a). Participation in a service has been used for this purpose for several
millennia. For us, Bar/Bat Mitzvah also recognizes the youngsters’ achievements
in Hebrew and religious studies, encourages some knowledge of the liturgy, and tries to establish
the habit of regular worship attendance for both parents and children. This means that the public
service at which the festivities take place seeks to strengthen the religious life of the individual
as well as the congregation. Bar/Bat Mitzvah should, therefore, be part of regularly
scheduled public service. Traditionally such public services at which the Torah
was read were held on shabbat morning and afternoon, as well as Monday and Thursday
morning. In addition, of course, the Torah was read on Rosh Hodesh and the
various festivals, which are also suitable for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. In many Reform
congregations the Torah is regularly read on Friday evening, an American innovation
instituted in this century, which has become part of our established congregational
practice. Each of these occasions represents a normal time of regular public worship.
We are interested in strengthening all public services, especially those on a shabbat
morning so that this day will be a day of rest, worship and celebration for us and our
congregants. Permission for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs on Sunday morning would move us away
from this emphasis . We would, therefore, urge that all Bar/Bat Mitzvahs be
scheduled on shabbat, even if it means that a number of children will share this occasion
.November 1985
If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.