Why do we throw sweets during the Barmitzvah Ceremony?

Why do we throw sweets during the Barmitzvah Ceremony?

You may have been to synagogue on a Saturday morning, watched the Barmitzvah boy deliver the Haftorah and then see the Rabbi, Chazzan and anyone else on the bimah hide under their tallises! Why? Because the Barmitzvah boy is about to be pelted with sweets! You’re next question is probably: Why do we throw sweets during the Barmitzvah Ceremony? Here is your answer:

In recent times and in many congregations, it has become one of the many traditions to throw sweets during the Barmitzvah ceremony at the Bar Mitzvah boy.  The reason for this is to wish him a “sweet” life now he has become Barmitzvah and is transitioning into adulthood.

Now lets not joke, having sweets thrown at you from the ladies gallery upstairs can hurt if the sweet hits you on the head, so do check with your synagogue if they allow the sweet throwing tradition.  Some will allow you to bring your own sweets, but others will provide their own (so they can ration the amount being thrown)!! This tradition is not written in the Torah so really is at the discretion of the synagogue!

It is also customary after the sweets are thrown to shout “Mazel Tov” and for children to run up to the bimah to grab themselves some of the sweets.  If you’re lucky, they may share!

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