Cup of Life Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ceremony

Cup of Life Bar/Bat Mitzvah Ceremony

This post presents an alternative to the candle-lighting ceremony for bat-mitzvah and bar-mitzvah celebrants, in which honored individuals each pour wine or grape juice representing an ingredient in the “recipe” for a good life into a large brandy snifter (13 for each year plus one for good luck) . At the end, the celebrant recites kiddush and takes a sip. Although the ceremony offers a suggested list of honored guests and blessings, these can obviously be altered to suit your specific situation. Created by Rabbi Anchelle Perl, director and spiritual leader of Chabad of Mineola, this ritual was shared on Ritualwell, a project of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College that provides a platform for creating new Jewish practices and observances. 

Cup of Life Ceremony

The suggested order of guests invited to participate in this ceremony begins with grandparents, followed by aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and siblings. Those who want may say a few words while pouring their contribution into the Cup of Life. The honor of the 14th cup goes to the parents.

Each cup represents an ingredient in the “recipe” for a good life:

  1. Cup of Good Health
  2. Cup of Wisdom
  3. Cup of Faith
  4. Cup of Compassion
  5. Cup of Good Humor
  6. Cup of Dedication
  7. Cup of Success
  8. Cup of Prosperity
  9. Cup of Generosity
  10. Cup of Friendship
  11. Cup of Happiness
  12. Cup of Love.