Question: What is the true requirement for a child to become a bar mitzvah?
Dear Rabbi,
My son is severely dyslexic. He reads on a 3rd grade level and can not read Hebrew. I know that he will not be able to perform a regular bar mitzvah. What is the true requirement for a child to be bar mitzvah? Please understand his brother will be bar mitzvah this year, and I do not want my younger son to think he is too stupid to have a bar mitzvah.
Please help. Leah
Answer: To become Bar Mitzvah a boy needs to turn 13. That's all. It's automatic.
Traditionally, in order to welcome him into the adult community, he is called up to the Torah for an Aliyah. This involves reading two blessings. He can read these in transliteration. That is sufficient.
I hope this has been helpful.
With blessings from Jerusalem,
Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Aish.com
Traditionally, in order to welcome him into the adult community, he is called up to the Torah for an Aliyah. This involves reading two blessings. He can read these in transliteration. That is sufficient.
I hope this has been helpful.
With blessings from Jerusalem,
Rabbi Shraga Simmons
Aish.com
