Bar Mitzvah
A Bar Mitzvah celebrates the emergence of a young Jewish man into full representation in the Jewish community. It is the start of adult participation in Jewish life.
Congregational Practices
Head coverings, kippah, are worn as a sign of respect and awareness of the presence of G-D. Non-Jewish men are asked to wear a kippah in respect. A tallit (prayer shawl) is worn by Jewish worshippers to fulfill the commandment, “Speak to the Israelites and instruct them to make for themselves fringes (‘tzizit’) on the corners of their garments…”. Out of respect, non-Jewish guests are asked to stand when the congregation rises.
Shacharit Service
The Shacharit service consists of two major prayers, the Shema and the Amida, which are preceded and followed by several blessings. The Barchu is the formal call to public worship. The Shema, proclaims the unity of G-d as the central principle of Judaism. The blessing after the Shema praises G-d alone as the Redeemer of Israel.
The Amida, prayer makes room for both personal meditations and the concerns we share as a community The Amida, means “standing” and is almost 2000 years old, having been composed about 100 C.E. It is considered the heart of the Jewish worship service. It is composed of seven blessings offering prayers and thanks to G-d.
The Torah Service
The Sefer Torah is a scroll of the Five Books of Moses, handwritten with a quill on parchment. It is kept in the Hechal, the Holy Ark. The public reading of the Torah has been part of Jewish services worldwide since the second century B.C.E. The Torah was divided into 54 portions, (each called a Parashah), according to the number of weeks in a year on the Jewish calendar. The Torah is removed from the Ark and carried in procession as those closest to it kiss it as a sign of love and devotion.
Family, friends, and congregants will also participate in the Torah Service this morning by opening and closing the Ark, carrying the Torah scroll or being called for an Aliya (reciting blessings). The Bar Mitzvah boy will then be called up to chant the Maftir, the concluding portion of the weekly Torah reading.
The Torah reading is followed by a short selection from one of the books of the Prophets. Hence, the reading known as Haftarah, which means “concluding portion”. The Haftarah is chosen because it has a thematic relationship to the weekly Torah reading.
Musaf Service
The Musaf service is a reminder of the additional sacrifices that were offered in the ancient Temple. Adon Olam is sung at the conclusion of the service. It is a poetic rendition of a Jewish philosophical concept of G-d. Following Adon Olam we will chant Kiddush, the blessing for wine. Then we will chant Hamotzi, the blessing for bread to sanctify the Sabbath.