The meaning of BMitzvah has evolved historically. BMitzvah, Child of the Commandment, is the status in Judaism of a boy or a girl who has reached thirteen, the age of majority in Jewish life. BMitzvah is a designation of legal status that the person is no longer considered a minor in Jewish law, that the person may be counted in the minyan and may participate fully in worship services.
The occasion of your child becoming BMitzvah is a very special time for you and your family, and for our congregation as well. While there are many days in the lives of our children which are filled with pride and joy, this moment in Jewish life enables and encourages us pause to appreciate the awesomeness of your child taking an honored place in shalshelet ha-kabbalah, the chain of our Jewish tradition.
The Babylonian Talmud includes beautiful words of prayer that encapsulate this transformative moment:
B’nai Mitzvah at NVHC
Information for Parents & Students
These may seem like lofty visions and aspirations. But they are precisely what we hope to share with you as your BMitzvah student participates in the leadership of Shabbat services, chants from Torah and prophetic teachings, teaching his/her community. We see the BMitzvah experience as a turning point in one’s Jewish education rather than a climactic graduation. At NVHC, we encourage lifelong learning. Through learning in our Kehilat Limmud and Tamid programs, getting ready for BMitzvah in Torah Corps, in our youth groups and activities to engage in the community, our children are challenged to make their Jewish identity take flight! This continues through participation in our amazing Confirmation program in 10th and beyond.
