Year 3 - Religious education
Bat Mitzvah and Bar Mitzvah
Rites of passage: How do communities mark growing up?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will study the concept of rites of passage - focussing on coming of age rituals undertaken by some Christians, Hindus and Jews. They will make see how these ancient rituals have adapted and may have different interpretations.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe how Jews celebrate becoming an adult with a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Key Notes
- Some religions mark becoming an adult with a ritual or ceremony.
- Bar and Bat Mitzvah are special celebrations when children become responsible for following Jewish rules, like adults.
- Girls have it at 12, and boys at 13; that's when they become part of the grown-up Jewish community.
- Different Jewish groups celebrate these life events differently.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Bar Mitzvah: a special ceremony for Jewish boys when they turn 13 and become responsible like adults
- Bat Mitzvah: a special ceremony for Jewish girls when they turn 12 and become responsible like adults
- adulthood: when a child becomes a grown-up and can make important choices
- ceremony: a special celebration to mark an important moment
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Only boys have Bar Mitzvahs, and girls don't have any special ceremony.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Some religions mark becoming an adult with a ritual or ceremony. Bar and Bat Mitzvah are special celebrations when children become responsible for following Jewish rules, like adults.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Bar Mitzvah'
a special ceremony for Jewish boys when they turn 13 and become responsible like adults.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Only boys have Bar Mitzvahs, and girls don't have any special ceremony. Correction: Both boys and girls have special ceremonies when they become responsible in Jewish tradition. In some Jewish groups, boys and girls celebrate a little differently, but both are very important and special!
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 3 Religious education guide library.