Q: Why does a bar-mitzvah boy have to do Torah, Haftorah or [if Lubavitch]
say a maamar?
A: I cant speak for Lubavitch since I am not a chabadnik and am not familiar
with their speciifc minhagim Actually, a Barmitzva does not have to do
anything, once he turns 13, he is barmitzva. My father in Europe was called
to the Torah on a Monday, and his mother made some cake and schanpps and
that was it. But our custom is to do it on a shabbat, train the boy to
know the torah blessing, the haftara, and with those who have a good education,
leanr to read from the torah and the lead the davening. This shows a mastery
of shul skills. Saying a nice dvar torah also shows that the boy inquestion
undersdtands what he has come to in life and has a decent Jewish education.
