[net.religion.jewish] Bat Mitzvah as as important as Bar Mitzvah

mcmillan@eosp1.UUCP (Tobias D. Robison) (03/02/84)

This is not simply an equal sex issue.  Just as a boy grows up and
becomes a "son of the commandments", so does the young girl become a
daughter of the commandments.  The point is, a parent is responsible
for the actions AND responsibilities of a young child.  When the
child reaches the ritual age, it assumes its own obligations and
responsibilities.

If a six year old girl "chooses" not to keep Kosher, it is her
parents failure to observe a commandment (please, in this context I
am not judging the parent's decision, just assigning responsibility).
A 12 year old girl is breaking a commandment herself if she chooses
not to keep Kosher.

It is a custom for the parents to recite the "sheptarani" prayer at the
Bar/Bat Mitzvah to celebrate their well earned relief from the weight
of this religious responsibility for their children's actions.
					- Toby Robison
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					(NOTE! NOT McMillan; Robison.)