Bar Mitzvah /
Bat Mitzvah

(Bar Meetz-vah/Bat Meetz-vah): Son/Daughter of the Commandment. The observance, held in the context of a regular Sabbath Service, serves as a public demonstration of a young person's acceptance of adult Jewish responsibility. It is a way to show a personal commitment to the mitzvot (commandments) by fulfilling a Tzedakah project, accepting the privilege of reading from the Torah and Haftarah, speaking to the issues found within them, and leading Tefillah (prayer). Through word and action, the young person demonstrates a commitment to a Jewish way of life - a life of compassion, responsibility, study, and mitzvot. For all these reasons, it is a time for celebration.

Nigun

(Nee-goon): A wordless song, the purpose of which is to help us clear our minds of mundane thoughts so that we may turn to prayer with full intentionality.

Tallit Presentation and Parents' Blessings (When a ceremony of bar or bat mitzvah occurs.)

(Tah-leet): The prayer shawl. The knotted fringes in the four corners serve to remind the worshipper of the 613 mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah [(Toh-rah): The first five books of the Bible, or the Books of Moses.]

Tzedakah Project (When a ceremony of bar or bat mitzvah occurs.)

(Tzeh-dah-kah): Justice. The Tzedakah project is an offering to God and the fulfillment of the mitzvah to perform acts of charity and social justice.

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Introductory Prayers

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Chatzi Kaddish

(Ckha-tzee Kah-dish): Reader's Kaddish; a prayer that signifies the conclusion of a portion of the service.

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Barchu

(Bar-ckhoo): The call to worship.

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Yotzer

(Yoh-tzair): Creation; an affirmation of God as the Creator of the Universe and the Laws of Nature.

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Ahavah Rabah

(Ah-hah-vah Rah-bah): Revelation; an affirmation of God's love for the Jews expressed by his giving of the Torah.

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Sh'ma and V'ahavtah

(Sh'mah) and (V'ah-hahv-tah): These two prayers constitute the consummate affirmation of faith of the Jewish people.

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Geulah

(Geh-oo-lah): God's Redemption; reminder of how God redeemed us by freeing us from slavery in Egypt

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Avot V'imahot

(Ah-vote V'eem-ah-hote): God of all Generations; each generation has a unique relationship with God, yet is always grounded in the relationship of past generations.

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Gevurot

(Geh-voo-rote): God's Power

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Kedushah

(Keh-doo-shah): Sanctification; praising the uniqueness and holiness of God.

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Kedushat Hayom

(Keh-doo-shat Hah-yohm): The Holiness of the Sabbath.

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Avodah

(Ah-voh-dah): Worship; an appeal that God will receive our prayers.

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Hoda'ah

(Hoh-dah-ah): Thanksgiving; a prayer expressing our gratitude for the many acts of God.

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Birkat Shalom

(Beer-kaht shah-lohm): Peace. Shalom comes from the root word Shalem, meaning complete or whole.

Silent Prayer

An opportunity for personal reflection and prayer.

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Torah Service

The focus of the Torah service is the chanting from the Torah scroll. The Torah is divided into 54 sections, which are read and studied in an annual cycle. At various times in our history, Jews were not permitted to have public readings of the Torah. In response, we evolved the practice of reading a section from the Prophets (referred to as the Haftarah), which refers to some element of the Torah portion that would have been read on that Sabbath or Festival. Today, we read both the Torah portion and the Haftarah portion. In respect for the sanctity of the Torah scroll, the reader does not touch the parchment but uses a silver pointer. Unlike other Hebrew texts, Torah scrolls are written without vowels or musical notation, increasing the difficulty of chanting.

Following the reading of the Torah and Haftarah portions, the Mishebeirach prayer is recited. This prayer serves to honor those called to the Torah and as a prayer for healing.

After the Mishebeirach, the Torah scroll is held high so that all may see the portion that was chanted.

D'var Torah

(Dih-vahr Toh-rah): A homily or commentary based on the Torah and/or Haftarah portions.

Shehecheyanu (When a ceremony of bar or bat mitzvah occurs.)

(She-heh-ckhe-yah-noo): This brief blessing is recited to acknowledge the joy of the occasion.

Rabbi's Blessing (When a ceremony of bar or bat mitzvah occurs.)

The Rabbi blesses the young person.; this is followed by the Cantor and Rabbi reciting the three-fold Priestly Blessing from the Book of Numbers.

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Returning the Torah to the Ark

Presentation (When a ceremony of bar or bat mitzvah occurs.)

Oak Park Temple Board of Directors

Presentation (When a ceremony of bar or bat mitzvah occurs.)

Oak Park Temple Sisterhood

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Aleinu

(Ah-lay-noo): Praise God who made heaven and earth.

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Kaddish

(Kah-dish): While this Aramaic prayer (the antecedent to the Lord's Prayer) is a song in praise of God, at this juncture it serves as the mourner's prayer. It is recited by those in mourning, and by the entire congregation in their comfort.

Closing Hymn

Closing Benediction

Kiddush and Motzi

Blessing the Sabbath/Festival day through the agency of sweet wine/grape juice; blessing and breaking the braided bread as we form a community of celebration.