These blessings were developed specifically to honor parents of non-Jewish backgrounds at their child’s bar or bat mitzvahLit. Commandment. It is traditionally held that there are 613 mitzvot (plural) in Judaism, both postive commandments (mandating actions) and negative commandments (prohibiting actions). Mitzvah has also become colloquially assumed to mean the idea of a “good deed.", but could be used for any person of another background as part of the TorahThe Five Books of Moses, and the foundation of all of Jewish life and lore. The Torah is considered the heart and soul of the Jewish people, and study of the Torah is a high mitzvah. The Torah itself a scroll that is hand lettered on parchment, elaborately dressed and decorated, and stored in a decorative ark. It is chanted aloud on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat, according to a yearly cycle. Sometimes "Torah" is used as a colloquial term for Jewish learning and narrative in general. reading service.Â
Before the Reading of the Torah:
Parent of background or identity other than Judaism recites:Â
Blessed is the Source of Life, who has brought me into loving relationship with the Jewish people and the Torah. Blessed is the Source of Torah.
Jewish Parent recites the standard Hebrew blessing before the Torah reading.
TORAH READING
After the Reading of the Torah:
Jewish Parent recites the standard Hebrew blessing after the Torah reading.
Parent of background or identity other than Judaism recites:Â
Bless us as one, Source of Life, by the light of your Presence and Teaching.
Based on the current practice used by Rabbi Toba Spitzer of Congregation Dorshei Tzedek, with acknowledgement to Rabbi Brian Walt for his development of an earlier version.
