bar mitzvah (jewish rite of passage to adulthood)

as the jewish boy turns 13, he becomes an adult -- a full-fledged member of the community, with the distinct privilege of publicly reading the torah! and participating in the prayers in the synagogue (in addition to having legal rights to enter into contracts including marriage and to take personal responsibility for one's moral actions).

now, while they are required to observe the 613 laws, in the tefilin (the box containing 4 scripture passages put on their head and left arm), only these are highlighted:
1. remember that yahweh, your god was the one who redeemed you from slavery in egypt. do this physically, but putting on head- and arm-bands as mnemonic devices!
2. keep him as your ONE and ONLY god; do not worship idols. otherwise, god's blessings upon you and the land will not be forthcoming.
3. pass this on to your children.

the four old testament passage are as follows:
1. Exodus 13:1-10 (Kadesh Li)
2. Exodus 13:11-16 (Ve-haya ki Yeviakha)
3. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (Shema)
4. Deuteronomy 11:13-21 (Ve-haya Im Shamoa)

let me just quote the shema (remember), which i distinctly remember mentioned by fr. le frois, svd, our religion teacher in college who was a biblical scholar (with a doctorate in sacred scriptures!)

"Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I COMMAND you this day, shall be upon your heart, and teach them thoroughly to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your home, and when you walk in the road, and when you lie down, and when you get up. And tie them for a sign upon your hand, and let them be tied between your eyes. And write them on the door posts of your houses and on your gates."

so, why did i mention this here?

despite, the hundreds of laws to be observed, it is still the CORE. LOVE GOD....