Useful Judaica Terms and Objects that Begin with the Letter B

B.C.E.
Meaning Before Christian Era or Before Common Era. A term used to designate years before year 1 on the Gregorian calendar.


Bar Mitzvah
Hebrew for Son of the Commandment. A ceremony marking a Jewish boy’s 13th birthday in which he is considered an adult by Jewish Law and is now responsible for obeying all of G-d’s Commandments.


Bat Mitzvah
Hebrew for Daughter of the Commandment. A ceremony marking a Jewish girl’s 12th birthday in which she is considered an adult by Jewish Law and is now responsible for obeying all of G-d’s Commandments.


Beit Knesset
Hebrew term for synagogue that literally means house of assembly.


Bethlehem
The New Testament describes Jesus as born in Bethlehem. According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus' parents lived in Nazareth but traveled to Bethlehem for the census of CE 6, and Jesus was born there before the family returned to Nazareth. The Gospel of Matthew account implies that the family already lived in Bethlehem when Jesus was born, and later moved to Nazareth.


Brit Milah
Hebrew for Covenant of the Circumcision. The ceremony in which a Jewish male baby is circumcised on the 8th day of life. Commonly referred to simply as The Brit or The Bris.



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