But I think that, as liberal Jews, we need to reclaim that halacha. It speaks directly to the original question, and would *free* us from what has become, in some cases, our own folly. Saying "hey, guess what - this *is* Judaism!" would cast a change in the ritual in a different light than otherwise, where it might look like "hey, we're making this up as we go along." I think that, if positioned correctly, is would be playing to the crowd.
Bar Mitzvahsepknight363March 13 2012, 15:53:32 UTC
As some one who had two bar mitzvahs, one in Israel and one here, I got to see two entirely different traditions at play. I think there need to be some basics: An Aliyah, the appropriate blessings, the Torah parsha reading, the family and community present to witness the coming of age.
If you can't do the minimums, it's not a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. It's something else. Call it what you will, it's not a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Not everyone gets a trophy, not everyone gets a blue ribbon. That's my $.02
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If you can't do the minimums, it's not a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. It's something else. Call it what you will, it's not a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Not everyone gets a trophy, not everyone gets a blue ribbon. That's my $.02
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