Question: Does orthodox Judaism permit changing a bar mitzvah Torah portion?
Dear Rabbi,
My son's bar mitzvah reading is during the Omer mourning period, when public music is not allowed. We prefer to have the bar mitzvah after the Omer so we can celebrate with music. Can we can postpone his Torah reading by two or three Shabbats so our guests from abroad can attend both his "aliyah le'torah" (Torah reading) and the celebration?
Thank you, Suzanne
Answer: Dear Suzanne,
Common Ashkenazi custom is to refrain from music from Passover until Lag B'omer, which arrives 33 days later. From Lag B'omer onwards, most Ashkenazim will listen to music even though the omer period actually continues until Shavuot.
Therefore, in the event that your son's Bar Mitzvah is in this first 33 day period, my advice is to ensure that he is called to the Torah on his actual Hebrew Birthday. Thereafter on a later date, he can then read the Haftora or other reading and have your musical celebration at that time. Never forgo his first Aliya on his actual Hebrew birthday.
And always be sure that any Bar Mitzvah celebration party has as much "Mitzvah" as "Bar"!
Rabbi Ari Enkin
Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel
