One of the most important events in the lives of young Jews is the bar mitzvah - literally 'son of a Commandment'. It is a ceremony that marks the initiation of young people, after months of preparation, into the beliefs, practices and responsibilities of Judaism. This book presents the outstanding aspects of the Jewish faith and the highlights of Jewish history in a manner that will appeal to the young Jewish adolescent of today, inspiring him with a sense of belonging to a community and to a living tradition. The book is designed in an entirely modern style and the text includes stories by some of the best contemporary Jewish writers such as Martin Buber and Bernard Malamud.