Definition

1. Noun:

   • (Judaism) A coming-of-age ceremony: A "bat mitzvah" is a Jewish religious ceremony and celebration that marks a girl's 12th or 13th birthday, signifying her transition to adulthood and her new responsibility for observing Jewish commandments (mitzvot).
   • The girl herself: The term can also refer to the girl who is undergoing or has undergone this ceremony.

2. Verb:

   • To perform the ceremony: To confirm a girl as a "bat mitzvah" in the religious ceremony, formally recognizing her new status and responsibilities.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Ceremony):

  • We attended her bat mitzvah last Saturday; the service was beautiful.
  • Planning a bat mitzvah involves both religious preparation and family celebration.

• Noun (The Girl):

  • As a bat mitzvah, she is now responsible for her own actions according to Jewish law.
  • The bat mitzvah gave a speech thanking her family and teachers.

• Verb:

  • The rabbi will bat mitzvah her during the Shabbat service.
  • She was bat mitzvahed in a ceremony at the family's synagogue.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used attributively (as a noun modifier) to describe elements related to the ceremony.
  • We shopped for a bat mitzvah dress.
  • He is a popular bat mitzvah party DJ.

Variants and Related Words

• B'nai Mitzvah: The plural form, often used for a group of boys and girls, or multiple ceremonies.
• Bar Mitzvah: The equivalent ceremony for a Jewish boy, typically at age 13.
• Bat Mitzvah (Alternative Spelling): The ceremony is sometimes spelled as "bas mitzvah" in communities influenced by Ashkenazi Hebrew pronunciation.

Synonyms

• Coming-of-age ceremony (general term)
• Confirmation (in a comparative, non-literal sense, noting this is a distinct Jewish rite)

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning is the religious and social event. The verbal use is less common but standard.
• The ceremony typically involves the girl reading from the Torah or Haftarah in the synagogue, leading parts of the service, and often delivering a speech (d'var Torah) about the weekly Torah portion.

Noun

1. (Judaism) an initiation ceremony marking the 12th birthday of a Jewish girl and signifying the beginning of religious responsibility

Verb

1. confirm in the bat mitzvah ceremony, of girls in the Jewish faith