Marking+Moments+of+Maturity

A rite of passage is a ceremony or event marking an important stage in someone’s life. Rites of passage can include birthdays, marriages, and even religious ceremony’s such as Bar or Bat Mitzvahs. I believe that rites of passage are important because they are a way to recognize and celebrate our maturity and growth. For example, a birthday marks our maturity to a new age. Even a rite of passage such as a wedding, marks a stage of maturity, because it shows how the couple developed a deep and mature relationship with each other. By celebrating rites of passage we recognize important stages in our lives.
 * Marking Moments of Maturity**

When a Jewish boy reaches thirteen years of age, he celebrates his Bar Mitzvah. A Bar Mitzvah is a rite of passage that is a transition from youth to manhood. During the celebration, the boy chants verses from the Torah, or Jewish book of laws, and then leads a prayer service. By taking part in a service in front of a congregation, it shows that the boy can truly start to take on big responsibilities in the community. Celebrating this rite of passage is a way for the Jewish community to accept a new official member. Turkish Muslims, on the other hand, have a different way to celebrate manhood. By the time a Turkish Muslim boy reaches age eleven, he should be circumcised. In the Turkish Muslim culture, circumcision is considered the passage from youth to manhood. It has a similar purpose as a Bar Mitzvah, but is celebrated in a different way. After the boy is circumcised, a huge celebration occurs, called the Sunnet Dugunu, or Circumcision Feast/Celebration, where lots of sweet treats are served. This is another example of how rites of passage celebrate our maturity.