Conservative Judaism/Bar Mitzvah

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Expert: - 6/14/2004


Question
I understand that the age at which Jewish males have a Bar Mitzvah is generally related to the age at which they can be expected to assume "adult" responsibilities...but, why was it set at exactly 13 years of age?

Who selected 13 as the appropriate age?

When was it selected?

Are there any other opinions as to the appropriate age?  

Answer
Dear Joe,

Thanks for writing.

Thirteen was the age as which puberty generally began at the time of the Talmud, roughly the second century - 200 CE.

Interestingly enough, with the advent of artificial light, we do find that puberty is beginning earlier for both boys and girls, and that has raised the discussion but no change in the custom and law of becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Check out further the subject in the Encyclopedia  Judaica in your library for additional details.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

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Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

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I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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