If you’ve been invited to a Bar Mitzvah and you aren’t sure what to give, consider a Judaica present. Judaica refers to ritual Jewish objects. Typically, these are highly decorated, and combine a religious purpose with artistry and craftsmanship. Judaica makes a wonderful and traditional present for young men as they transition into spiritual adulthood.
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What is a Bar Mitzvah?
A Bar Mitzvah is a Jewish boy’s coming-of-age ceremony, which happens when he turns 13. After this age, he becomes responsible for observing the commandments, and takes his place in religious society. Among his new roles, he begins to count as a member of a minyan (the quorum required for community prayer), and is able to lead a religious service.
This event is an extremely important part of a Jewish boy’s life. As such, it is often followed by both a religious ceremony in a synagogue, and a party to celebrate afterwards. In the synagogue, the boy will ascend to the Torah for the first time and lead the congregation in the service. At the party, there is music and dancing, and, of course, Bar Mitzvah presents.
What is An Appropriate Gift for a Bar Mitzvah?
There are several options. Money is a common choice. Usually, cash gifts are totalled up at the end of the night and put into savings, or a college or travel fund. Sometimes, it will be spent on one large gift the boy has in mind.
There are a number of gifts traditionally given on a Bar Mitzvah. Judaica presents are common, and intended to be used by the Bar Mitzvah boy for the duration of his life. Kiddush cups, torah pointers, tallit clips, and menorahs are all options. These combine beauty and elaborate decoration with functionality and religious significance.
A Bar Mitzvah is also a chance to give high-quality jewelry that will last a lifetime, like Star of David necklaces. There are also more Jewish symbols used in jewelry such as stars of David, Chai pendants, and hamsas, all of which are also highly traditional. For those looking for a slightly more offbeat option, Nadav Art craft pendants in the shape of small dreidels, and others capturing the likeness of Jerusalem. Jewelry can also be secular: you might give a young man his first pair of cufflinks, a simple chain, or a ring.
How much Money Do You Give For a Bar Mitzvah?
The typical amounts usually start from about a hundred dollars, but will vary widely from community to community. Of course, you should not give more than you can afford; your presence is more important, and the celebrating parents will more than understand. Money is often given in multiples of 18, the numerical representation of the word ‘Chai’, or ‘living’. Giving in multiples of ‘chai’ is thought to bring extra luck.
What Judaica Gifts Are Available?
Below is a list of different Judaica items, intended for those who are not familiar with them, with a short explanation of what their purpose is.
- Tefillin cases. A cover to go around the tefillin (small boxes containing parchments inscribed with holy verses, which Jews wear during some prayers).
- Mezuzah cases. These are hung up on the lintels of every doorway in a Jewish home, and house a parchment again inscribed with holy verses. Mezuzahs are believed to have a protective element, so gifting a mezuzah case can be a sign of your guardianship and support for the celebrant.
- Kiddush cups. This is a cup used for blessing the wine during the kiddush ceremony, which is performed every Friday night.
- Tallit clips. These are clips for holding together the tallit (a prayer shawl) during prayer.
- Torah pointers. When Jews read from the Torah, they do not use their finger to follow the words as they read. Instead, they use a Torah pointer, which is specifically intended for this purpose. Torah pointers are usually pencil-shaped, with a hand at the bottom to ‘point out’ the words on the scroll.
- Spice-box or havdalah set. The end of the Sabbath is marked out each week by a ceremony. Part of the ceremony involves smelling something with a strong and sweet scent, usually cloves which are kept in a spice-box.
Browse our full Judaica Collection here
How Do I Choose What to Buy?
Once you’ve established whether anyone else is planning on buying a Judaica present, there are several things to keep in mind. To choose which item you’ll be gifting, consider the level of observance the boy and his family follow. A regular attendee at synagogue will get ample use out of a Torah pointer. A more secular Jew may not, but he most likely will still take part in the blessing on the wine on Fridays, so a Kiddush cup may still be appropriate.
After you have chosen your item, consider quality and material: Judaica gifts are meant to last throughout the boy’s lifetime as a keepsake for his coming-of-age. The most classic items of Judaica are made of real silver; Nadav Art owes much success to the traditional Yemenite silversmithing that is still used to produce many of their products. However, there are also modern interpretations that use anodised aluminum for a sturdy, contemporary style. These also have the advantage of being easier to clean.
The style you choose will depend on your aesthetic taste and on the honoree’s. Classic styles are usually well-received as they are traditional gifts, but contemporary styles should not be overlooked as a sleek and modern alternative to them. It is also becoming more and more popular to fuse classic styles with new elements. If you aren’t sure, consider consulting the boy’s parents on what he might prefer.
Check out the Nadav Art collection of Modern Gifts for Bar Mitzvah
What is a Good Gift to Give a Jewish Person?
A Jewish person is like anybody else; they will appreciate any gift as long as it is thoughtful. If complimenting the recipient’s Jewish heritage is important to you in your gift-giving, there are a number of ways to do that. Judaica and Jewish jewelry emphasize tradition and spirituality, both important aspects of the Jewish faith.
It is also common to give books for Bar Mitzvahs to represent the importance of learning in a person’s life. These can be religious in nature, such as a Bible or Siddur, but they don’t have to be; a hardback classic novel, a collection of books, or an anthology of poetry or short stories might equally appeal to a voracious reader.
Tzedakah boxes, in which money is set aside to give to charity, are also a common choice. This, again, highlights a Jewish value. You can also make a charitable donation in the honoree’s name. Choose a cause that is important to them, and make sure to include a note on the difference the donation will make in your card.
In Summary…
A Bar Mitzvah is an extremely spiritually significant event in a young man’s life. A Judaica gift for Bar Mitzvah is a good option for those seeking a traditional and meaningful gift to celebrate this ritual. Emphasize quality, material and style as you make your choice to guarantee a present he will cherish for years to come.
