A Bar mitzvah invite

Bar Mitzvah means son of commandment and families’ celebrate this when their children turn 13. At this age a Jewish boy is recognized to have the rights of a full grown man and so there is a celebration when a boy turns a bar mitzvah.

While I was living with the Joseph family on Ben Yahuda Street, which is in the center of the modern city of Jerusalem, I was invited for this Bar- Mitzvah party.  Bar Mitzvah is big thing in the life of Jew, and I was so glad to accept the invitation. Being more of a back packer, I did not have the clothes for the occasion. Therefore, the Josephs lent me a trouser and a nice shirt but this was indeed a little embarrassing to go for a party and borrow clothes from the same family that had invited me.

I however had found a seat of respect in the Joseph household and they understood where I was coming from, that is to say, they understood that I borrowed these clothes out of respect that I may stand presentable at this important occasion of their son Yakov who had turned 13 and who was the barmitzvah boy.

As I entered the synagogue, I saw them providing Jewish skull caps what they call as Yamakas. I ceased the opportunity to take one. The person standing besides me noticed that I was a foreigner and told me that the boys name is mentioned in Hebrew on the cap and this was such a heartfelt joy, as the reason I took this cap was so that I would remember this family. I still do have this cap kept neatly with the best of my clothes at home.

I noticed Yakov brilliantly reading from the Torah in the synagogue, even though I could not understand what he said. Every word had its own soothing effect, which I just relished. We then moved out of the synagogue and over to some hall for a celebration. It was rather interesting to see the full beard middle aged orthodox folk here, dancing as if they were in their teens.

The Josephs had hired a kosher caterer and I feasted here on all the goodies. Some of the stuff I really enjoyed here was Baked Challah, Chicken soup with matzo balls, noodle kugel, potato kugel, and the perfect parve party cake. I had taken the recipe for some of these but I haven’t been able to make these things as well as I had it back there.

God Bless Israel!