Q: I am an 11 year old (almost 12) consevative Jew. I am planning to
have my Bat-mitzvah when I am 13 instead of the recomended age of 12.
I was wondering if it was wrong to have when I was 13 and decide to have
it when im 12 instead. Because some people are telling me that it is wrong
to have it when im 13. And im just wondering if its wrong to have it when
im 13 and also what age do you recomend and why?
A: A girl becomes Bat Mitzvah when she reaches the age of 12 plus one
day according to her birthday on the Hebrew calendar. No synagogue celebration
is required. The age of Bat Mitzvah means that you are obligated to do
all of the commandments. Again, this happens automatically when you reach
the age of Bat Mitzvah.
Whether a girl can celebrate Bat Mitzvah at the age of 12 is a policy
decision of a synagogue. To me, it makes sense for girls and boys both
to wait until they are 13 for the synagogue celebration, because our educational
system is geared towards preparing for the celebration at 13 year of age,
not 12 year of age.
I am also in favor of an egalitarian approach, of treating boys and
girls equally. Since boys cannot celebrate until age 13, we should treat
girls the same.
