What Is a Bat Mitzvah?

A Bat Mitzvah is a milestone of Jewish life, marking the moment when a young person becomes morally and spiritually responsible for their own actions within the Jewish community.

The term Bet Mitzvah (an inclusive form that encompasses Bar, Bat, and gender-neutral usage) describes a change in personal status. Once someone becomes a Bar, Bat, or Bet Mitzvah, they remain so for the rest of their life. It is not something one “gets” or “does” once and moves on from — it is something one becomes.

The phrase mitzvah means “commandment,” so Bat Mitzvah is often translated as “Daughter of the Commandment.”A comparable English phrase might be “age of majority,” but the Jewish meaning goes deeper. It signifies stepping into responsibility, intention, and accountability — not only for one’s actions, but for one’s role in the community and the world.

According to Jewish tradition, reaching Bat Mitzvah age means a person is now considered an adult in the eyes of Jewish law. They are obligated to observe the mitzvot (commandments), may be counted in a minyan (a prayer quorum), may read from the Torah, and may fully participate in communal ritual life. This change happens both by reaching a certain age and by choosing to take on the responsibilities of Jewish adulthood.

A Brief History (and a Bit of Progress)

The public celebration of Bar Mitzvah for boys is relatively recent in Jewish history — about 500 years old. Bat Mitzvah celebrations for girls are even more recent, reflecting long-overdue recognition of girls’ voices, leadership, and spiritual authority within Jewish life. The gender-inclusive term Bet Mitzvah has emerged more recently still, offering an additional option for those who seek language that reflects a broader spectrum of identities.

At Bet Ha’am, Bet Mitzvah is often used as a default, inclusive term in congregational materials. For Sloan’s service, however, you will most often hear Bat Mitzvah — a term that proudly honors girls stepping into learning, leadership, and sacred responsibility.

The Ritual Today

Originally, the ritual served to notify the community that a young person was now legally an adult, eligible to recite blessings before and after the Torah reading — a privilege once reserved only for adults. Over time, the ceremony expanded to include chanting from the Torah, reading from the Haftarah (a selection from the Prophets that echoes themes from the Torah portion), and often helping lead the worship service.

Because these roles require study and preparation, the Bat Mitzvah naturally became intertwined with Jewish education. Today, the emphasis is less on age alone and more on learning, intention, and engagement — a celebration not just of growing older, but of growing wiser.

At Bet Ha’am

At Bet Ha’am, the Bat Mitzvah is an active participant in the Shabbat morning service. Preparation includes years of Jewish learning, Hebrew study, participation in Shabbat worship, private tutoring, family learning experiences, and meaningful conversations with the Rabbi and educators.

Sloan’s preparation for this moment began more than twelve years ago, at our temple community in Bellingham, Washington. We are deeply grateful to all the teachers, mentors, family members, and friends who have helped guide her to this day.

We are delighted that you are here to witness and celebrate this joyous, meaningful, and powerful moment — one that honors tradition, uplifts girls, and marks the beginning of a lifetime of learning and responsibility.

Welcome. And Shabbat Shalom. 💙