Bar and bas mitzvah – What becoming bar mitzvah means

בר מצוה ובת מצוה – משמעות הבר מצוה

At thirteen a boy becomes obligated in mitzvos, but the Rebbe urged him to aim at once for the level of "Adam" — true spiritual maturity — through daily Torah study, prayer and yiras Shamayim (IK 652, 1107). It begins with accepting the yoke of Heaven wholeheartedly, before understanding — the word "yoke" itself means observance above reason (IK 1521, 4044, 6222) — and it is a joy, not a burden (IK 10682). At its heart is the actual mitzvah of tefillin, not a reinterpreted "coming of age" (IK 8612). It is the start of a lifelong commitment, not a finish line — Jewish education must continue through the teenage years in a proper institution (IK 3887, 6799).

Shiurim in this topic

1107. Bar Mitzvah Blessing and the Meaning of Becoming an Adam ברכת בר מצוה ומשמעות ההפיכה לאדם

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1521. Bar Mitzvah Blessings and the Meaning of Becoming an Ish ברכות בר מצוה ומשמעות ההפיכה לאיש

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2232. Bar Mitzvah Guidance: Living as a Warm, Lively Jew הדרכה לבר מצוה, לחיות כיהודי חם וחי

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3887. Bar Mitzvah as the Beginning of Torah Commitment בר מצוה כהתחלת קבלת עול תורה

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4044. Ashuris Script Usage for Stam and Invitation Cards שימוש בכתב אשורית לסת"ם ולכרטיסי הזמנה

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6222. Bar Mitzvah, Accepting the Yoke of Torah, and Educating Youth בר מצוה, קבלת עול תורה, וחינוך הנוער