The heart of the Bar Mitzvah event at the Western Wall is, of course, the Torah reading ceremony. This is the moment for which the celebrating family brings guests—sometimes from all corners of the world—to present the child who has become a man at the very heart of the Jewish people – Jerusalem. Therefore, it is extremely important that the ceremony be conducted according to all the requirements of tradition on the one hand, and on the other hand, meet the needs of the family and the guests present at the Kotel.
First and foremost, it is necessary to secure the optimal location near the partition (mechitzah), so that both the women and the men can see and hear the event in the best way possible.
JBM Bar Mitzvah Production at the Western Wall takes care of this, of course, and your dedicated guide will lead you directly to the spot arranged for you in advance.
Upon arriving at the table where the Torah will be read, we will make sure everyone has gathered on both sides of the partition, and if needed, we will arrange for anyone who wants a tallit, tefillin, and prayer books (siddurim).
Some families choose to hold a full prayer service with all its components in addition to the Torah reading. Still, most families do not skip:
Putting on tefillin
Saying “Shema Yisrael”
Taking out the Torah scroll and reading from it
These are essentially the three main components of every Bar Mitzvah ceremony at the Western Wall, accompanied of course by songs, explanations, dancing, and liturgical singing that elevate the emotional event.
Your guide will first help the boy put on the tefillin, with a short explanation of the meaning of the practice. He will also assist other participants if needed.
After the boy is wrapped in a tallit and tefillin and photographed sufficiently, we move on to the second stage of the ceremony — reciting “Shema Yisrael,” the most important prayer of our people.
This is actually the very text placed inside the tefillin boxes and inside the mezuzot in our homes. You could say this is the Jewish “Ani Ma’amin,” recited by the Jewish people morning and evening.
Therefore, the first verse is recited together by everyone, covering the eyes with the right hand.
The rest of the prayer is led by the Bar Mitzvah boy, who will read it aloud (if he wishes, of course :).
There is no need to memorize it, since it is read from a vocalized text.
After reciting Shema Yisrael — it is time to prepare the candies.
Now the guide will take the men toward the Holy Ark (Aron Kodesh), from which we will take out a Torah scroll for reading. On the way, we sing traditional joyful songs and make a circle dance.
The Western Wall has about 120(!) kosher Torah scrolls, donated from around the world, available for use freely — Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Yemenite, and more.
We approach the Aron Kodesh, honor a family member (grandfather/uncle/father) to open it, and let the boy hold the Torah scroll, resting it on his right shoulder.
It is highly recommended for a family member, usually the father, to assist from below so the scroll won’t be too heavy for the boy.
After the photo by the Wall with the whole family, we begin singing and return to the table where the Torah will be read.
As we approach the women’s side, we give the signal for the first wave of candies — Mazal Tov!
It is recommended to have mercy on the Bar Mitzvah boy and keep him alive until the end of the reading 🙂
From the moment the Torah is placed on the table, it is forbidden to throw candies or spray water so as not to damage the ink letters of the scroll.
The difference stems from the fact that the Sephardic Torah scroll is read while standing upright, as it is permanently housed inside a rigid case (and therefore heavy :).
The Ashkenazi scroll, however, is read while lying flat, and when stored in the Ark, it is tied with a special belt so it won’t open, and covered with a cloth called a “mantle.”
This is one of the reasons why the lifting (Hagbahah) of the Ashkenazi Torah scroll is done at the end — after the belt and cover have been removed during the reading.
A family member is honored to lift it, while another is honored to place the belt and cover back on it — on the way to returning it to the Ark.
Sound complicated? Don’t worry — our guide is beside you throughout the entire event and knows how to help at every stage of the ceremony.
The order of reading is almost identical across communities with minor variations.
According to Sephardi custom, “Hagbahah” — lifting the Torah scroll — is done first, where the lifter shows everyone the text of the portion while making a 360-degree clockwise turn.
The guide continues singing during the lifting.
At the end of the lifting, the scroll is placed back on the table.
Ashkenazi custom is to perform Hagbahah at the end of the Torah reading.
After the scroll is ready for reading, we approach the heart of the event — the Bar Mitzvah boy’s Aliyah to the Torah!
Your personal guide will assist you in preparing three “Olim” — those who will be called up to the Torah.
The weekday Torah reading is actually a small portion of the upcoming Shabbat portion, divided into three parts.
If there is a Kohen or Levi present (with family tradition confirming it), they receive the first two Aliyot.
If the Bar Mitzvah boy is a Kohen or Levi, he receives the appropriate Aliyah.
But usually, the boy receives the last and most beloved Aliyah (and then gets the candy attack :), while the earlier ones go to grandparents/father/uncles (the guide can solve certain nuances on the spot).
And here comes the exciting moment!
Everyone is alert and emotional, ready to hear the Bar Mitzvah boy ascend and recite the blessings and read from the Torah.
The guide assists with everything needed so the boy receives full attention.
He ensures that the mother and all the women’s section can hear, and that the photographers document the sacred moment.
He begins with the blessing before the reading and ends with the blessing after it.
(Of course, if the boy did not prepare the entire reading, the guide completes the remainder.)
After the shower of candies, songs, and dances, the father recites the traditional blessing:
“Baruch Shep’tarani MeOnsho Shel Zeh.”
The meaning of this blessing is thanks to God for the fact that responsibility — which also implies liability for actions — now passes to the boy.
Before this, responsibility lay with the parents.
(This does NOT mean, as many think, that the child is the punishment!)
This is one of our main concerns.
Before your arrival, we secure for you an optimal location near the partition in the Western Wall plaza.
Your guide will lead you directly to the pre-arranged spot, ensuring excellent visibility and audibility from both sides.
The guide personally ensures that the mother and all the women can clearly see and hear the emotional moment.
There is no problem at all. We are fully prepared for this and ensure that there are tallitot, tefillin, and prayer books available for anyone who wishes to use them. The guide will gladly assist any guest who needs help putting on the tefillin.
While a full prayer service may be held, most families focus on the three core components of the ceremony:
Putting on Tefillin:
The guide helps the Bar Mitzvah boy and explains the meaning of the mitzvah.
Reciting “Shema Yisrael”:
The central prayer in Judaism, recited together with the entire audience.
Taking out the Torah and reading from it:
The highlight of the ceremony, including a procession, songs, and dancing.
All of these elements are accompanied by explanations, liturgical singing, and melodies that enhance the experience.
This is completely natural. The guide’s role is to be there for your son, to instill calm and confidence.
He will gently help him put on the tefillin, stand beside him during the recitation of “Shema Yisrael” (which is read from a vocalized prayer book—there is no need to memorize anything), and guide him step by step throughout the Torah reading.
If the boy has not prepared the entire reading, the guide will complete it smoothly for him.
The goal is for the child to feel comfortable and receive full attention without pressure.
This is our specialty.
At the Western Wall there are over 120 Torah scrolls from all communities, and we will choose the one appropriate for your tradition.
The guide is well-versed in the fine differences between customs (for example, the timing of Hagbahah—lifting the Torah).
He will conduct the ceremony according to your tradition and explain everything clearly.
Sound complicated? Don’t worry—our guide is with you throughout the entire event and knows how to assist at every stage of the ceremony, including here.
Family participation is an important and emotional part of the experience.
There are many opportunities to honor your loved ones: opening the Holy Ark, helping hold the heavy Torah scroll, and of course, receiving Aliyot (being called up to the Torah).
In the weekday Torah reading, there are three Aliyot.
Usually, the Bar Mitzvah boy receives the third and celebratory Aliyah, while the first two can be given to the father, grandfathers, or uncles.
The guide will assist you on-site to allocate the honors in the most proper and respectful way.
Throwing candies is a joyful custom, but it must be done at the correct times to preserve the sanctity of the Torah scroll.
It is allowed—and recommended—to throw candies at two moments:
When returning with the Torah scroll from the Holy Ark and approaching the women’s section.
After the Bar Mitzvah boy completes his reading and final blessing.
Important:
From the moment the Torah scroll is placed open on the table until the reading is finished, it is strictly forbidden to throw candies or spray water, in order not to damage the delicate ink of the letters.
As you can see, the Torah reading ceremony is rich with details, customs, and emotional moments.
Our role at JBM is to manage all these details for you, so you can set aside your worries and fully embrace the experience.
Your personal guide will navigate, explain, coordinate, inspire, and ensure that your ceremony is exactly as you dreamed — personal, meaningful, and unforgettable.
Ready to plan your son’s emotional Torah reading ceremony?
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Rabbi Pinchas Margulis and reserve your date.
