[f; pl. “Bnot Mitzvah”]; literally, “daughter of the Mitzvah;” more correctly, the status of having reached the level of being obligated in all the responsibilities and entitled to all the privileges of an adult female, in Jewish Society. In Judaism, this status is attained when a young woman reaches the age of twelve years.
This milestone is considered a bitter-sweet time, a time when the parents have the “nachas,” the “pleasure of seeing the fruits of their labor,” their daughter growing into adulthood, but which is also a large step closer to her leaving their home.
A “Seudah,” a festive meal, is often celebrated in honor of this event, at which the daughter may say some words of Torah.