In Judaism, a boy traditionally becomes responsible for religious commandments at age 13 through bar mitzvah.
The phrase bar mitzvah literally means “son of commandment.” It describes the person, not only the ceremony, and marks the point at which Jewish tradition regards a boy as personally accountable for observing religious obligations.
The age is rooted in rabbinic Jewish tradition and is commonly associated with the Mishnah’s discussion of stages of life in Pirkei Avot. A bar mitzvah celebration may include being called to read from the Torah, chanting a haftarah, delivering a speech, and sharing a festive meal.
The age does not mean every community holds the ceremony in exactly the same way. Customs differ among Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and other Jewish communities, but 13 remains the standard traditional age for boys. It is also distinct from the age of civil adulthood, which is determined by the laws of a person’s country.