Glossary

We do not like to assume that every family is familiar with all the terms that may be used in this process. Therefore, we are listing some words below that are associated with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony.

Aliyah: literally “going up;” the blessings before and after the Torah readings; it is an honor to be invited to recite these blessings.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah: literally translated as “Son/Daughter of the Commandment,” more accurately understood as “the Commanded One.” Figuratively, it means the age of responsibility.

Bimah: the pulpit or raised area at the front of the sanctuary/chapel.

B’nei Mitzvah: more than one Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Used when referring to more than one child.

B’not Mitzvah: more than one Bat Mitzvah. Used when referring to more than one girl. If you have 50 girls and one boy, the term ‘B’nei Mitzvah’ is still used.

Confirmation: a life cycle event of equal ritual significance in the life of a Jewish child. It is a ceremony that takes place during the holiday of Shavuot when the child and his/her classmates confirm their commitment to Judaism. At Central Synagogue we celebrate Confirmation in tenth grade.

Haftarah: the portion from the Prophets or writings that is read after the reading of the Torah.

Kipah: yarmulke or head covering.

Parshat ha’Shavuah: the Torah portion of the week.

Seder K’riat ha’Torah: the portion of the service when the Torah and Haftarah are read.

Shacharit: the morning service.

Tallit: a Jewish prayer shawl once only worn by men and boys from the age of Bar Mitzvah. Today, girls and women wear them also. A tallit must have tzitzit on the corners.

Torah: also known as the Five Books of Moses. The Torah is the first section of the Hebrew Bible.

Tzitzit: specially tied fringes on the corners of the tallit that are meant to be symbolic of the Mitzvot.

Yad: the pointer used when reading from the Torah.

Hebrew name: a Hebrew name is used for ritual purposes. It is composed of your Hebrew name and the Hebrew name of both your parents. The word “ben” or “bat” is inserted to mean “son of” or “daughter of,” and the letter vav is used to mean “and,” e.g. Yoseif Tzvi ben Mordechai v’Esther; Sara Rivka bat Hannah v’Shalom.