Michael,

Thanks for the thought. A Bar Mitzva is much more meaningful when the boy understands what he’s reading. But for that to happen, Jewish education has to start well before the Bar Mitzva. It sounds like Nathaniel did that, and his parents deserve credit for giving him that opportunity. Too many kids today don’t have it!

Burke,

When I was Bar Mitzva age I remember seeing a cartoon of a Cantor and a Bar Mitzva boy. The Cantor was about to turn on a tape recorder under the lectern, and he was saying “Now don’t forget to move your lips Davie.” In the Orthodox community where I grew up and where I am raising my children, that could not happen, because we don’t use tape recorders on the Sabbath! There’s a lot to be said for tradition – it’s kept the Jewish people going for generations.

Jack,

I’m sorry your Bar Mitzva was such a disappointing experience. I’m glad to hear you made it up to yourself later in life. There’s nothing to stop you from doing it over again if you want. Your Torah portion comes up once a year around your birthday!

BW,

I don’t see us as being like the Madrassa’s. Jewish kids are taught to think – they aren’t brainwashed. My kids have done a lot more rote learning than I ever did, and it’s always with the goal of having what they’ve learned by heart down pat so that they can use it to grow. The learning by heart is never the goal itself (although getting the prize for doing it might be