mitzvah
Sign in to saveIn its primary meaning, the Hebrew word '''''' (; , ; ) refers to a commandment from God to be performed as a religious duty. Jewish law () in large part consists of discussions of these commandments. According to religious tradition, there are 613 commandments.
Article
10 sectionsContents
- Hebrew Bible
- Enumeration
- Rabbinic mitzvot
- The seven rabbinic mitzvot
- Categories of mitzvot
- Six constant mitzvot
- Mitzvot and Jewish law
- Applicability in the messianic age
- See also
- References
In its primary meaning, the Hebrew word '''' (; , ; ) refers to a commandment from God to be performed as a religious duty. Jewish law () in large part consists of discussions of these commandments. According to religious tradition, there are 613 commandments.
In its secondary meaning, the word mitzvah refers to a deed performed in order to fulfill such a commandment. As such, the term mitzvah has also come to express an individual act of human kindness in keeping with the law. The expression includes a sense of heartfelt sentiment beyond mere legal duty, such as "you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18).