Can I get through it? Thirteen!

A short parent/child reflection on preparing for Bnai Mitzvah

(כא) הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, בֶּן חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים לַמִּקְרָא, בֶּן עֶשֶׂר לַמִּשְׁנָה, בֶּן שְׁלשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה לַמִּצְוֹת, בֶּן חֲמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה לַתַּלְמוּד, בֶּן שְׁמֹנֶה עֶשְׂרֵה לַחֻפָּה, בֶּן עֶשְׂרִים לִרְדֹּף, בֶּן שְׁלשִׁים לַכֹּחַ, בֶּן אַרְבָּעִים לַבִּינָה, בֶּן חֲמִשִּׁים לָעֵצָה, בֶּן שִׁשִּׁים לַזִּקְנָה, בֶּן שִׁבְעִים לַשֵּׂיבָה, בֶּן שְׁמֹנִים לַגְּבוּרָה, בֶּן תִּשְׁעִים לָשׁוּחַ,

Pirkei Avot 5:21

(21) He used to say: At five years of age the study of Scripture; At ten the study of Mishnah; At thirteen subject to the commandments; At fifteen the study of Talmud; At eighteen the bridal canopy; At twenty for pursuit [of livelihood]; At thirty the peak of strength; At forty wisdom; At fifty able to give counsel; At sixty old age; At seventy fullness of years; At eighty the age of “strength”; At ninety a bent body...

For students:

1) What is something you know now about Judaism that you didn’t know at five?

2) What skill do you think will matter most for Bnai Mitzvah — reading, leading, confidence, responsibility, kindness?

For parents:

1) What habits at home (showing up, practicing, taking responsibility, asking questions) will help your child grow into this moment?

2) How does your own Jewish learning continue to evolve?

Together:
According to Pirkei Avot, growth happens in stages. What is one concrete practice our family can commit to this year to prepare for Bnai Mitzvah?

Sari Laufer

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