Baptism And Bar Mitzvah: A Comparison
In various world religions, there is usually a set of actions and/or rituals that must take place for an individual to be granted full membership into a religion; this is commonly referred to as a “rite of passage.” Within Christianity and Judaism, these rites of passage are respectively known as Baptism and Bar Mitzvah. Although two entirely different practices from two different religions, it is important to discuss how their functions differ and intersect with one another.
Baptism and Bar Mitzvah can both be classified as an ideological ritual, which is a ritual that instills ideas into the minds of those participating in it. Christians are made to believe that going through Baptism is essential to becoming a true disciple of God; it is also said to cleanse and purify one from their pre-baptismal wrongdoings that stem from the Original Sin – therefore, it can also be considered a salvation ritual. Bar Mitzvah is seen as an essential practice in Judaism; it grants religious privileges and responsibilities to young Jewish boys and girls once they reach the proper age. When you also account for the fact that these two rituals are often celebratory public displays, they can both be considered revitalization rituals because of how they bring the community together.
These two rituals are similar because they are public displays of initiation into their respective religions, but there is not much else the same beyond that. One of the main focal points of Baptism is that it “saves” individuals from a life of sin and impurity. This concept cannot apply to Bar Mitzvah because a child is not religiously responsible for their actions until after the Bar Mitzvah – thus, there are no sins to be cleansed of. The processes themselves are also quite different. Preparation for a Bar Mitzvah is usually very time-consuming, expensive, and extensive; Jewish children are expected to study many different sacred texts, prepare a speech, and rehearse if possible. Meanwhile, Baptisms are usually more straightforward and require much less effort from parties involved. Most of the time, all that is needed is water, a tank, a towel, a change of clothes, and someone to perform the Baptism. There is also no specific age that one must reach in order to be baptized, which is why it is common to see both infants and adults baptized. For Bar and Bat Mitzvah, the ages of twelve and thirteen are very heavily emphasized.
Christians after being baptized may feel a newfound sense of belonging, gratitude, and purpose after the ritual. Some converted Christians that previously lived troubled lives will point to their Baptism as the turning point for their spirituality. Newly initiated Bar Mitzvahs may feel a sense of autonomy and responsibility that will prepare them for adulthood. For both rituals, community involvement is vital. The jubilation shared among family, friends, and other community members can create memories that last a lifetime.
Since they are two different rituals, they will have very different usages of symbols. Water is the most essential to Baptism since it is the plunging and rising out of the water that symbolizes the purification and salvation of an individual. Oil is also considered essential because it distinguishes holy water from that of regular water. White clothing or a baptismal garment is often worn to symbolize purity and holiness. Other Christian symbols that promote protection and good faith are the Cross and spoken verses from the Bible. Bar Mitzvah has many symbols that are more specific to the ritual. A kippah, the traditional Jewish head covering, is expected to be worn as usual. A tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl worn during the morning prayer, is typically worn for the first time during the Bar Mitzvah ceremony. Tefillin, small black leather boxes containing scrolls with verses from the Torah, are also worn for the first time. The child will read from the Torah with a Yad (Torah pointer) to protect the scrolls from the damage. Shabbat candles are lit exclusively by women before the Sabbath, and so Shabbat candlesticks are a common Bat Mitzvah gift for girls. A blessing is recited over a Kiddush cup before the celebratory meal – after, the boy or girl will take a sip from the cup as a way of saying “cheers.” Finally, is the Hora Dance or the “Chair Dance”. Perhaps the most recognizable Bar Mitzvah symbol, it is the traditional Jewish dance where the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is lifted into the air while mounted on a chair, and the entire party dances around with them.
By looking at how Baptisms and Bar Mitzvahs are performed, one can make reasonable assumptions about the priorities of the respective religious community. The simplicity of Baptism can be explained by the fact that Christianity is a missionary religion. If the practice requires little effort and resources, then Baptisms can be performed at a higher volume. More Baptisms means more followers of Christ, meaning that Baptisms are structured in a way that ultimately aid in the goals of Christianity. Judaism on the other hand, is not a missionary religion. This could explain why Bar Mitzvahs are a much more elaborate and celebrated practice. Because there are much less Jews in the world, Bar Mitzvah has extreme importance in initiating and retaining members of its religion. The way the ritual is performed also says things about the congregations that perform them. Large Christian megachurches that perform grandiose Baptism ceremonies are less inclined towards tradition and are more focused on the overall purpose and meaning as a ritual. Likewise, wealthy Jewish families that throw extravagant Bar Mitzvah parties at country clubs or hotels with hundreds of guests may be more focused on creating a fun and memorable experience for their child. Despite these differences, there is no “better” way to perform Baptism or Bar Mitzvah; it is all up to personal preference.
Two different religions, two different practices. After closely examining the differences and similarities between Baptism and Bar Mitzvah, one can better understand the context behind the characteristics and purpose of each ritual. Nonetheless, it is hard to argue that Baptism and Bar Mitzvah do anything other than good for the spiritual wellbeing of their respective religions.
