Do adult male converts to Judaism still have bar mitzvas?
I am 19-years old and in the process of converting to Judaism. I’m wondering…will I still have a bar mitzva?
No one has to have a Bar Mitzva. Bar Mitzva literally means the age at which a boy is able to sin and has to follow the mitzvot. It happens automatically when a boy is 13 years and 1 day old. Nothing more is needed. Big celebrations and parties is actually a very recentinnovation only dating back to the 19th century and the early reform movement. Celebrations only became common in orthodox in the early 20th century! In the past, all that happened on a Bar Mitzvah was that they were called to the Torah as a sign to the community they were now responsible under the mitzvot (before bar mitzvah a person cannot be called to the Torah as they cannot represent the community- calling the boy up showed that he was an adult and could represent the community.)
In the case of a convert, there is no need for a bar mitzvah- when they appear before the Beis Din (Rabbinical court) as part of the conversion, they accept the mitzvot on themselves and this is deemed the necessary public declarion and thus no further action is needed.
That said, it varies in different communities. In many orthodox communities a new convert will be called to the Torah the Shabbos after his conversion tp show the community they are now jewish- but it is not referred to as a Bar Mitzvah! (Teh person is generally only called to recite the blessings and not do the actual reading as would be done by a bar Mitzvah boy. However, I know of one convert who had studied Hebrew for years before deciding to convert and coulod recite the Torah portion- which he did. It is exceptionally rare as most people cannot recite the Torah portions and most Bar Mitzvah boys spend up to a year preparing!)
Some Reform and Conservative communities do a Bar Mitzvah for new convert as part of their entering into the community. You will need to ask the Rabbi doing the conversion if it will be required or not, and if it would be mandatory or not. It varies by movement and community
So, whether or not it is needed, you will
D’ TWILIGHT GARDEN MALE BAR LA UNION 5
Tags: bar, blog, bookmark, bookmarks, male barbie doll names, male barbies, male barista, male baritone audition songs, male bartenders, shopping