Explain how taking part in a Bar or Bat mitzvah might help to strengthen the faith of a Jewish family. (7)
Some Jewish families will not keep to the laws of Judaism because they do not feel obligated to. However, most Jewish families, no matter how religious they are, feel that it is necessary to celebrate their son’s Barmitzvah or daughter’s Batmitzvah because it is a common Jewish practise that celebrates a coming of age. Throughout the process of becoming Barmitzvah, a boy has to learn intensely for a few months in preparation for becoming a man who is required to observe all of G-d’s mitzvot. This may mean that the boy will become more influenced by what he is learning and choose to practise the mitzvot. He may also be able to encourage his family to learn more about Jewish faith and teachings; this may strengthen their belief in Judaism. Leading up to a Bar or Batmitzvah the boy or girl with their family will usually attend shul and take part in the service, if they do not already got to shul. This may strengthen their faith in G-d because they are being supported and welcomed by the community who will help them strengthen their faith in G-d.
“Thirteen is too early to take on adult responsibilities”. Do you agree or disagree?
When the Torah talks about a boy who is now Barmitzvah taking on adult responsibilities, it means that the boy is now responsible for his own actions and that his parents cannot be blamed for the choices that he makes. For example, if the boy decides that he does not want to keep Kosher, his parents can still urge him to do so but if he is not persuaded then they are not responsible for his wrongdoing. Adult responsibilities such as earning an income to support your family are not required of a 13-year-old boy.
However, 13 is the age for when a boy is meant to mature and realise that he has to think carefully and behave appropriately. This means that as well as performing all the mitzvot and taking on adult responsibilities, he has to think about becoming a good person who is not reliant on his parents.
Nevertheless, not all boys mature at the age of 13 and it may be too much for a boy to handle the responsibilities of an adult. Therefore, they will need their parents help in fulfilling the mitzvot and will still have to rely on their parent for some of their responsibilities.
I think that 13 is not to early to begin carrying out G-d’s mitzvot but I do think it is to young to start taking on some adult responsibilities that some 13 year old boys may not be able to carry out. The teenage years of a Jew should be used to grow into mature, thoughtful people who will make the correct decisions in life. This should be focussed on more than trying to take on adult responsibilities.
