7 Down
NYT Daily • August 4, 2025
Bat mitzvah reading
Answer:
TORAH
Hint:
["\"Sacred Jewish text\""]
Explanation:
The clue "Bat mitzvah reading" leads to the answer "TORAH" through a straightforward cultural reference. A bat mitzvah is a Jewish coming-of-age ritual for girls that typically includes a public ceremony. During this ceremony, the young woman reads from the Torah, which is the central reference of the Jewish faith, comprising the five books of Moses. Therefore, the term "reading" in the clue directly points to the Torah, as it is the traditional text read during a bat mitzvah ceremony.