the bar mitzvah

A coming-of-age ceremony in the Jewish religion. When a boy turns thirteen, he is considered a man and reads a torah portion in front of friends, family and his shul. Bat Mitzvahs, the counterpart for 13-year-old girls, started in the early 20th century. Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are really supposed to be holy ceremonies that mark a child's emergence into the adult world of Judiasm, but in some parts of the US the parties are all that matters. Yes, it's very important for each young teen to out-do each other. Whether it's having expensive DJ's or balloon arches, invitees of Bar/Bat Mitvahs know they will have a great time and end up with a giveaway, like a t-shirt or pj pants with a cheesy saying. (Read: "I danced my pants off at Lauren's Bat Mitzvah!") For young teens that are or know Jewish teens, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are the social highlights of the 7th and 8th grades. Slang: On AIM "BM"