A Bar mitzvah is a boy 13 years of age plus one day. According to rabbinical traditions, as of this day, the boy is considered responsible for his own deeds (Pirke Avot). Customs, however, differ in Morocco. Moroccan Jew followed the Talmudic tradition most of the time, although rabbinical practices have been adopted in more recent years. Bar Mitzvah ceremonies were held in Morocco as soon as a boy appeared to have gained enough knowledge of the Torah, sometimes as early as the age of 7. But in most cases, children celebrated Bar mitzvah in Morocco around the age of 12.

Ceremonial aspects

In Morocco, a boy was expected not only to learn the five books of the Pentateuch (Torah) but also one section of the Talmud. Sometimes the boy was even tested as to his knowledge of Torah and Talmud before allowed to celebrate Bar Mitzvah. Children who passed the test at an earlier age, i.e., before 13, were allowed to celebrate Bar mitzvah. This does not imply that all children of age were really versed with Torah and Talmud in Morocco. Children in major urban centres such as Casablanca, Fez, Meknes were most likely able to meet these requirements. However, the situation was less rosy in the distant periphery, where teachers were not available and parents were not educated enough to teach their children. Therefore, many children went through the Bar Mitzvah ritual without meeting the requirements. In such cases, children simply learnt by heart some of the prayers.
A few weeks before Bar Mitzvah, the boy is taught how to wear talith (prayer shawl) and tefilin (two separate small boxes containing relevant Torah passages (shema'), one is installed on the left arm close to the heart while the other is worn on the head like a crown to symbolize that Torah is in the heart and mind of the believer)
Historically, there seem to be a divergence in the scales of celebration of Bar Mitzvah in Morocco. On one hand there is evidence that many people celebrated it modestly, putting an emphasis on the ritual (Torah reading and wearing a prayer shawl and tefilin), rather than on the festivity aspect. However, a feast is prescribed, according to tradition (seu'dat mitzvah), as Abraham did offer a meal in the honour of Isaac's Bar Mitzvah. Recent, as well as, past practices indicate that celebrations may have been extravagant at times, leading to repeated rabbinical calls to moderate festivities and consumption.
The Bar mitzvah usually delivers a speech or two (drasha) of Biblical/religious significance and guests shower him with gifts and blessings.
Moroccan Jews hold the Bar Mitzvah feast Sunday evening or Wednesday evening, that is the night before Monday or Thursday, which are the days when Torah is read in synagogues and when the boy is summoned to read Torah as well as wear talith and tefilin. Sometimes the prayer was held in the home of the Bar Mitzvah because of the belief that on this day, the Shecina descends from heaven to inhabit the home of the Bar mitzvah and leave a bit of Its spirit behind. The boy sits between his father and the rabbi.