[Avodah] Proposal for Transforming the Bar Mitzvah -- By Yosef Adler & Yossi Prager -- In Jewish Action -- Winter 5766-2005

[Zev Sero via Avodah]

> In Jewish Action -- Winter 5766-2005

More than 10 years ago.

> In many Chareidi communities today most
> Bar Mitzvah boys read only maftir and the haftarah.

Or not even that.  Some just get one of the seven aliyos, since getting
maftir doesn't show that the boy is a bar mitzvah.

When I am asked my opinion I suggest that unless the boy intends to
keep up his laining skills it's a waste of effort to learn them in the
first place, and he should rather learn nusach and how to lead davening,
which is a skill that he's more likely to put to use later.

For those who insist on laining, I suggest that it would be a pity to
let this hard-won skill go rusty after the big event, so he should start
learning the rishon of every third or fourth sedra, so that over the
course of a few years he'll be able to lain impromptu at a Monday or
Thursday minyan, which is a very useful skill to have.

-- 
Zev Sero               All around myself I will wave the green willow
zev at sero.name          The myrtle and the palm and the citron for a week
                And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm doing that
                I'll say "It's a Jewish thing; if you have a few minutes
                I'll explain it to you".