The latest development in dubious “religious” trends: the rise of bar mitzvahs for dogs.
While not exactly mainstream, the ceremonies, known as “bark mitzvahs,” are apparently now a rite of passage for some Jewish dog owners and their pets, part of what the Associated Press describes as a “booming multimillion-dollar industry.”
The AP yesterday released footage of a ceremony honoring a New Jersey canine named Nicky, who celebrated reaching age 13 – in dog years – by donning a kippah for a ceremony attended by his owner and friends. “I really believe that the animals have a right to have a party and a religion,” said Lee Day, a talis-wearing woman described by the news service as a “bark mitzvah performer.”
Predictably, not everyone is thrilled with the trend. “It’s really part of a sacred tradition,” said Rabbi Daniel Satlow, referring to the human version of the ceremony. “To imagine that a dog could do anything like this is degrading.”
Click here for a video report.
{Forward blog/Matzav.com Newscenter}
Why stop there? What about a PUP-sherin or an Auf-WOOF?! LOL
show them the emes
This has nothing to do with Yiddishkeit,
and it is demeaning to the true meaning of Bar Mitzvah and Bas Mitzvah.
Probably on the top ten list of chilulei Hashem.
What’s really funny is when you get the dog to do the hava negilla.
This is so very sad. Obviously the owners are looking for spiritual meaning, but are very mixed up.
#1
Thanks for your sweet light comment
#3
Thats the whole point!
I really believe that the animals have a right to have a party and a religion,
She is assuming that the dog wants to be Bark Mitzvah! How do they know? Have they ever asked the dog?
Pathetic. i wonder how many of these dog owners had a Bar/Bat Mitzvah of their own?
Why stop with dogs, what about cats, parrots, rabbits etc.?
They have a right to a bark mitzva :>)
There is a saying, when a bar mitzvah is more party than religion, “It was more bar than mitzvah”.
A variation of it can be made here. “It was more bark than mitzvah!”
#1, thanks for the laugh (If we were really sensitive, we’d actually cry a lot more than laugh at the concept!)
What about a dog bris?
This is what happens when you support sleazy politicians
someone should give me his name and info, i might have a shidduch for him and then we’ll all share in the simcha!
It says that in the days of ikvasa d’meshicha ‘p’nei hador k’pnei hakelev’. it has gotten to the point where one cannot discern any difference between the people and their dogs.
Its sickening and degrading
Every dog has his Day. I wonder if the Reform and Conservative are going to count them in a “minyan”.
And where’s the outrage? ONLY CHAREIDIM WHO DRESS UP IN HOLOCAUST UNIFORMS ARE CRITICIZED FOR MISDEMEANING BEHAVIOR???
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW STONES!!!
Everyone knows it’s a joke – even the people putting it on. It’s an excuse to get together with friends, don’t read too much into this trend.
repulsive
If she can a wear a talis, her dog can have bar mitzvah.
Rabbi Daniel Satlow (google him, he’s a “rabbi” of some conservative dump in connecticut)
but ???? ?? ??? – Satlow (he sits real real low)
Hi I’m an intelligent alsatian that will be celebrating my bark mitzvah this year (IYH) and it’s quite scary preparing my drosho. Please let me know what you think so far and only honest comments. Thanks. “Woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof.”
Can’t wait to my chasuna. By the way mom said I’m going to get a nice shampoo and perm before my special day. Can’t wait see you there all invited to the reception. Pedigree chum are catering!
opeacorsis
opeacoreais
The use of “by” in the headline is Yiddish, or possibly German (bei).
An English headline would be “Bark Mitzvahs Popular With American Dog Lovers.”
#22, before you put someone down for what they say, you should ACTUALLY READ what they say. Rabbi Satlow (what you think of his smicha is irrelevant) is AGAINST this dog thing and calls it degrading. And also–your pun is a real groaner.
The whole purpose is to make money. AS P.T. Barnum said, “a sucker is born every minute”.