Special Dance for Youngest Child’s Bar Mitzvah?

Question

Is there a special dance when the last child is bar mitvahed? (i.e. comparable to mezinka when the last child is married off)

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    No, not that I am aware of.

    The origins of the “Mezhinka Tance” are relatively obscure. I actually tried looking for a source years ago to no real avail. However, I once heard that the “logic” behind it is that as the last child is being married off and leaving the house, they are “swept” away, that at long last the house will finally be “clean” as there are no more children at home to cause a clutter! Is that really the reason? I honestly don’t know but I do have my doubts.

    In any event, not so long ago I stumbled across a reference to the “Mezhinka Tance” by Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein (a son-in-law of HaGaon Rav Elyashiv, ztz”l, and a brother-in-law of HaGaon Rav Chaim Kaneivsky, shlit”a) in his sefer Aleinu Leshabayach. In the Sefer Rav Zilberstein mentions that it was a custom at weddings in Jerusalem in previous generations. He says that the concept behind the dance is based on a verse in Sefer Yishayahu where Hashem curses the Jewish nation that He will sweep them away by destroying the children. According to Rav Zilberstein the “Mezhinka Tance” is performed as a sign of gratitude by the parents at the wedding of their of the youngest child that the curse did not come to fruition in their family.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team