A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Endure the truth, though it be bitter.

CUSTOMS— BAR MITZVAH      
The Jewish boy looks forward to his thirteenth birthday as one of the most important events in his life.  It symbolizes the beginning of maturity for him.  When the boy reaches Bar Mitzvah (Son of Commandment) age, he is not only old enough to enjoy the ceremony but also to appreciate its importance to himself, to his family and friends, and to his people.

It is believed by Jews that up to the thirteenth year, the father bears the sins of his son.  After that the boy must account for his good or evil actions.  The father therefore, recites the following benediction at the Bar Mitzvah ceremony: "Blessed are YOU, our GOD, KING OF THE UNIVERSE, WHO has relieved me from punishment for this one (the son)."

Many months before this great occasion, the son is taught at the synagogue how to wear the phylacteries and prayer shawl.  He is taught his various prayers in Hebrew, his religious duties, the HAFTORAH (a term applied to the passages from the Books of the Prophets — NEVI'IM), after the reading from the Books of Moses — TORAH) and blessings, and how to write and memorize a speech in Hebrew.  The young man is now accepted as one of ten necessary for a Minyan  (ten adult men—without whom services cannot be conducted in the synagogue).  He is also entitled to be called on to read the TORAH in the public services.

This Bar Mitzvah ceremony is celebrated in the synagogue and in the home.  Relatives and friends come to the synagogue to hear the boy chant the HAFTORAH and deliver the oration.  The Rabbi talks to him and blesses him.  After the service, the whole congregation is invited by the family to the vestry rooms for refreshments.  The boy receives gifts and congratulations from everyone.  He is now considered a man who is responsible for his own sins.

The following prayer is in use in English Sephardic Congregations on the occasion of a lad reaching the age of thirteen — his religious majority:  "O my GOD, and GOD of my fathers, on this solemn and sacred day, which marks my passage from boyhood to manhood, I humbly raise my eyes to YOU and declare with sincerity and truth that henceforth I will observe YOUR commandments, and undertake to bear the responsibility of all my actions towards YOU. In my earliest infancy I was brought within YOUR SACRED COVENANT with Israel, and today I again enter as an active responsible member, the pale of YOUR elect congregation, in the midst of which I will never cease to glorify YOUR HOLY NAME in the face of all nations.
  Do, O HEAVENLY FATHER, hear this my humble prayer and bestow upon me YOUR gracious blessings, so that my earthly life may be sustained and made happy by YOUR ineffable mercies. Teach me the way of YOUR statutes, that I may obey them and faithfully carry out YOUR ordinances. Dispose my heart to love YOU and to fear YOUR HOLY NAME, and grant me YOUR support and the strength necessary to avoid the worldly dangers which beset the path lying before me. Save me from temptation, so that I may observe YOUR HOLY LAW and those precepts on which human happiness and eternal life depend. Thus I will every day of my life trustfully and gladly proclaim: Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our GOD, the LORD is ONE!"

The Jewish Prophet Isaiah, speaks of ONE upon whose shoulder is the government, the LAW (TORAH), the blessing, whose NAME is called WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE. [Isaiah/Yeshayah 9. 6]   We find HIM in the Temple at the age of maturity at that time (12) astounding the doctors of the Law with HIS perfect knowledge, HIS wisdom, HIS authority in the SCRIPTURES. [see Luke 2. 45 - 48]   JESUS didn't need a ceremony nor a ritual nor a celebration.  HE fulfilled not only the Law, but the tradition of the Jews as well.  HE had no sins for which Joseph was responsible before HE was twelve, but it was for our iniquities HE was bruised, for our transgression HE was wounded. [Isaiah/Yeshayah 53. 5]  Truly, THIS SON did not suffer for HIMSELF as HE hung on that Altar on Golgotha; HE did not bear the punishment of HIS OWN sins, but surely, surely HE bore our diseases and carried our pains!  The chastisement for our peace was upon HIM and through HIS bruises was healing granted to us!  Blessed be HIS WONDERFUL NAME forever!

It is interesting to note that Jews use two words for "son" (and so it is in the SCRIPTURES — see Proverbs/Mishle 30. 4; 31. 2).  The one word is "ben" which is a general term applied to each male child in a Jewish family.  The other is "bar" which has a greater meaning, the term used of a son who has reached maturity; one who has attained to the age of religious duty and responsibility.  In other words, he is a qualified, full-fledged, mature Jew!

In the Second Psalm, considered the MESSIANIC PSALM, the COMFORTER, the HOLY SPIRIT, declares to the people of Israel (and all nations) that the ONE WHO is ANOINTED (the MASHIACH) — the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD.  In verse seven, YESHUA is called by the term "BEN."  Then in verse twelve,  Israel is admonished to do homage to HIM ("Kiss the SON") and they are "blessed who put their trust in HIM."  In this instance the term "BAR" is used for SON.  JESUS, the ANOINTED ONE is the SON (BEN) OF GOD and from the beginning of time, HE is BAR MITZVAH, the SON OF THE LAW as well!

[Special Note: 1961 was Bar Mitzvah Day in Israel for it was the 13^th Independence Day celebration.  This was because of the number "thirteen."  It is at age 13 the boy is called Bar Mitzvah or Son of the Law.  According to Jewish authorities, the reason for 13 is because that is the number of ALMIGHTY GOD'S attributes. {Personally, I find them to be beyond measure!}]

Sha’alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
Welcome Sabbath! Praised to Almighty CREATOR God!  We praise and bless you O GOD for lovingly and graciously giving YOUR Holy Shabbat — the Bride, the Queen...the imagery of beauty & radiance, testifying to the tremendous affection that the Sabbath is enjoyed among YOUR people in YOUR HOLY PRESENCE. 
 May yours be a Yom She’Kulo Shabbat — a day which is all-Sabbath!


Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace.  

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