We wondered how religion related to phases, and we decided we would ask an expert. Rabbi Stanger, from the Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation, assisted us in our research. We asked him a question regarding what the difference is between adults and elders in the Jewish religion. He explained how he sees them as "two different categories." He considers an adult anyone who passes through the rite of passage known as the Bar Mitzvah. With this transition, they are now considered "liable," as he explains. The children, now adults, are expected to keep shabbat, keep the dietary restrictions, and so forth. An elder is considered a "seasoned" person, someone who is mature, and can lead and advise. These two different "categories" are considered great changes in religion.
He also explains that regardless of whether or not you pass through the Bar Mitzvah, you might not be ready for the responsibilities that someone who is much older holds. This shows us that even if we are told we are an adult, our mindset may not be there just yet.
We asked him why for girls, the Bat Mitzvah was conducted at 12 and for boys at 13, and he explained that it depends on growth spurts and physiological changes. For some boys this could be when their voice changes, which to Rabbi Stanger is ironic because of the expectations of boys to sing their haftorah. He said that regardless of the change in voice, this was considered the new phase and the transition from childhood to adulthood. "Girls and boys are obviously not adults at this point, but at the same time they are no long children. Girls were now expected to help cook, and boys to help farm in the fields", Rabbi Stanger explains. "It was a transition where they had been children, and now they are teenagers at these ages. It's the onset of this shift and transition."
He also explains that regardless of whether or not you pass through the Bar Mitzvah, you might not be ready for the responsibilities that someone who is much older holds. This shows us that even if we are told we are an adult, our mindset may not be there just yet.
We asked him why for girls, the Bat Mitzvah was conducted at 12 and for boys at 13, and he explained that it depends on growth spurts and physiological changes. For some boys this could be when their voice changes, which to Rabbi Stanger is ironic because of the expectations of boys to sing their haftorah. He said that regardless of the change in voice, this was considered the new phase and the transition from childhood to adulthood. "Girls and boys are obviously not adults at this point, but at the same time they are no long children. Girls were now expected to help cook, and boys to help farm in the fields", Rabbi Stanger explains. "It was a transition where they had been children, and now they are teenagers at these ages. It's the onset of this shift and transition."
