B’nai Mitzvah Service Order

Every child is different and every bar and bat mitzvah is different. Within the guidelines of halacha, or Jewish law, there is some flexibility, and we will do everything we can to do what is best for your child. One child may use a different melody than another, and there may be places in which it is appropriate for one child to read Hebrew where another reads English. With that being said, the basic Shabbat morning service is a strong tradition in the history of our people. We will use this service as the template for your child’s bar or bat mitzvah. The following is the basic service order for our b’nei mitzvah here at the Roth Center. Bolded lines are led by the bar or bat mitzvah.

Prayer Name	Page	Action	Notes	Participants
Ma Tovu	140	Stand	Hebrew, first line twice	Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation sings along
Baruch Sh’amar	180	Stand	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, congregation sings along
Psalm 90	186	Sit	English	Rabbi leads, congregation responds
Ashrey	190	Sit	Hebrew, silently	Rabbi announces
Hallelujah	194	Sit	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, congregation sings along
Nishmat Kol Chai	214	Sit	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, congregation sings along (may be responsive English reading by bar or bat mitzvah)
Shoheyn Ad	218	Sit	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, congregation sings along
Chatzi Kaddish	220	Stand	Hebrew	Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation responds
Barchu	224	Stand	Hebrew	Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation responds
El Adon	228	Sit	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, congregation sings along
Blessings of Shema	230-240	Sit	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, congregation sings along and reads silently
Shema and V’ahavta	242	Sit	Hebrew	Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation sings along
True and Enduring	248	Sit	English	Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation responds
Mi Chamocha	252	Sit	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, congregation responds
Avot	255	Stand	Hebrew	Bar or bat mitzvah sings solo
Kedusha	256	Stand	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, congregation responds
L’dor v’dor	256	Stand	Hebrew	Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation responds
Silent Amidah	258-266	Stand	Silent	Congregation
Kaddish Shalem	268	Stand	Hebrew	Bar or bat mitzvah leads solo
Torah Service: The bar or bat mitzvah and their family rise and gather around the ark. The appointed person opens the ark. The Torah is handed by the rabbi to members of the family and it is passed one by one (l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation), to the bar or bat mitzvah. Everyone stays behind the bar or bat mitzvah as the service continues.
Shema	320	Stand	Hebrew	Bar or bat mitzvah leads, congregation responds
At “Gadlu, L’Adoshem,” the bar or bat mitzvah turns to face the ark and bows as that part is chanted. The bar or bat mitzvah then takes the Torah to the congregation to be greeted. The family follows behind in procession. The bar or bat mitzvah should take time and walk around the congregation slowly, giving everyone a chance to greet or to kiss the Torah. This is an honor. It should not be rushed.
Blessings before and after the Torah readings	322	Stand	Hebrew	Each person honored with an aliyah. There are seven aliyot; the parents take the seventh. Rabbi and the bar or bat mitzvah will do the Torah chanting.
Mi Shebeirach	Back cover of siddur	Sit	Hebrew and English	Rabbi or gabbai leads, congregation sings along
Maftir	Torah	Stand	Hebrew	Bar or bat mitzvah leads solo
Reader’s Chatzi Kaddish	324	Stand	Hebrew	Rabbi or gabbai leads
Haftarah and Haftarah blessings	326	Stand	Hebrew	Bar or bat mitzvah solo
D’var Torah	Prepared	Stand	English	Bar or bat mitzvah alone
Y’hall’lu	340	Stand	Hebrew, scroll returned to ark at the end.	Rabbi leads, congregation sings along
Etz Chaim	346	Stand	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, congregation sings
Blessings upon parents	—	Stand	Hebrew and English	Rabbi
Blessings upon bar or bat mitzvah	—	Stand	Hebrew and English	Rabbi
Presentation by board
Presentation by education director
Speech from the parents
Aleinu	402	Stand	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, congregation sings along
Mourner’s Kaddish	410	Mourners stand, congregation sits	Hebrew	Rabbi leads, mourners join
Adon Olam	412	Sit	Hebrew	B’nei mitzvah class leads, congregation sings along