How much should I give as a bar mitzvah gift?

How much should I give as a bar mitzvah gift?

For a bar or bat mitzvah, it’s common to give an amount that’s a multiple of 18. In Jewish tradition, the number 18 symbolizes “chai,” Hebrew for “life.” Giving an amount that’s a multiple of 18 is a way of symbolically gifting a long and happy life to the young person of honor.

Are you supposed to give a gift for bar mitzvah?

Gifts are expected at bar and bat mitzvahs. The most common is giving money toward college or studies abroad in Israel. Many families end up donating a portion of cash to a charity. This custom is known as “tzedekah.” You may also choose to make a direct donation to a charity in honor of the bar or bat mitzvah.

Why are bar mitzvah gifts in multiples of 18?

At bar or bat mitzvahs, weddings, and other occasions, people often like to give multiples of 18. The reason for this tradition is that 18 is the numerical equivalent of “chai” or “life.” The idea is that when you give money in multiples of 18, you are giving “more life” or are enhancing someone’s life and future.

What is a traditional Bar Mitzvah gift?

Traditional Bar Mitzvah gifts often include a ritually significant amount of money, educational books, Jewish ritual items or a cookbook that celebrates Jewish cooking. You can also take a more personalized slant by buying the teen something to foster their hobbies and passions.

Can a boy be Bar Mitzvah at 12?

A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony for Jewish boys and girls when they reach the age of 12 or 13. This ceremony marks the time when a boy or girl becomes a Jewish adult.

What happens at a Bar Mitzvah service?

Before his 13th birthday, a Jewish boy will attend lessons, usually at the synagogue, in Hebrew and in how to read the Torah aloud. The boy’s father will then recite a prayer of thanks for his son’s coming of age. After the service there will usually be a party to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah.

What happens to the foreskin after circumcision?

Over time, the foreskin will retract on its own so that it can be pulled away easily from the glans toward the abdomen. This happens at different times for different boys, but most can retract the foreskin by the time they reach puberty.