What to Expect from Bar Mitzvah Lessons

If you are the parent of a boy preparing for his bar mitzvah, you may want to consider bar mitzvah lessons for him. The sooner you arrange for such lessons, the better. Many parents send their sons to classes as far ahead as one year. The classes not only prepare a boy for the chanting that will be done at the actual event but also prepare him for life as a Jewish adult. This is very important because the bar mitzvah is a celebration of the transition from boy to man, at least in the Jewish community. After the age of 13, a Jewish male becomes spiritually and morally accountable for their actions. Before a Jewish male is 13, his parents are held spiritually and morally accountable. You can see why this day is so important. This is why so many parents do spring for classes for their young man.

Exactly what is studied during these classes depends upon the individual class. It may also depend on how involved the reading done by the boy to be bar mitzvahed will be. For brief chanting, only a few months of classes may be needed. For a long, in-depth reading, classes can range up to a year. For example, Torah Blessings and Maftir would take approximately 16 classes or four months based on one class per week. For Torah Blessings, Maftir and Haftorah, the average class would take 30 classes spread out over approximately 7 months. For Torah Blessings, whole Parsha and whole Haftorah, you can expect courses to last around a year.

In today's Internet age, you can actually find online classes. However, the traditional Jewish parent is going to want their child to study with a rabbi. There is much to be learned about becoming a Jewish adult and much to study in preparation for the bar mitzvah. Online classes are fine for some but most want the one-on-one interaction they get in a live classroom setting. Another thing to consider when thinking about classes is the knowledge the child already has. If the young man has a solid foundation of knowledge it may not be necessary to study for as long.

When you're ready for your child to begin bar mitzvah lessons, speak to your rabbi. Most synagogues offer bar and bat mitzvah classes for their You can also find advertisements for online and offline classes on the Internet. The right education can make a big difference in not only the success of the bar mitzvah but also the spiritual life of the young Jewish man celebrating the bar mitzvah.

Copyright 2007 Jack G. Nelson - All Rights Reserved

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