A Bar Mitzvah is a Jewish rite of passage when a Jewish teen adopts the rights and responsibilities of an adult under Jewish law. During a Bar Mitzvah, the teen reads from the Torah in front of the congregation for the first time and wears a special garment called a tefilin.My Jewish Learning: History of Bar Mitzvah

The Bar Mitzvah was not originally a formal ceremony but was marked around age 13 when the young person began to participate fully in religious life and traditions. The Bar Mitzvah ceremony and celebration has historical roots in the middle ages and is now celebrated in a variety of ways and traditions.My Jewish Learning: History of Bar Mitzvah A Modern Bar Mitzvah can be quite elaborate, with features, costs and planning comparable to a wedding ceremony and reception.Soctor Simcha: Bar/Bat mitzvah planning advice & community

• eMitz.com: Bar Mitzvah Planning

• Bar-Mitzvah.org.il: Jerusalem Bar Mitzvah Travel