Jewish 101: Mitzvah
What Is a Mitzvah?
A mitzvah, plural mitzvot, is a commandment, a divine instruction given by God in the Torah. The Hebrew root of the word, tzavah, means "to command." Thus, a mitzvah is an act of obedience through which human beings align their lives with the will of their creator.
The 613 Commandments
Traditionally, Jewish teaching recognizes 613 mitzvot in the Torah: 248 positive commandments ("you shall") and 365 negative commandments ("you shall not").
These range from ethical principles, such as honoring parents or loving one's neighbor, to ritual observances like keeping Shabbat, the dietary laws, or wearing tzitzit. While some mitzvot apply only in the land of Israel or during temple times, others are universal and timeless, shaping every aspect of daily life.
The Wider Meaning of Mitzvah
In common usage, a mitzvah often simply means a good deed. Over time, the word came to describe any act of kindness, generosity, or moral goodness, even when not directly commanded, reflecting the spirit of the Torah's call to righteousness.
Beyond their literal observance, mitzvot are seen as a spiritual discipline, acts that bring holiness into the ordinary and remind the people of Israel of their covenant with God. Every commandment, great or small, is an opportunity to reflect God's character in action and to make the world more just, compassionate, and holy.
The Greatest Commandment
When Yeshua was asked which commandment was the greatest, he quoted directly from the Torah:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
This is from Deuteronomy 6. And he added, from Leviticus 19:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
He affirmed that on these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
The essence of the mitzvah, then, is love expressed through obedience. Each commandment, from the smallest daily act to the weightiest moral duty, calls God's people to live in covenant relationship with him and to reflect his goodness in the world.
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Lydia Bachana
Netivyah Staff
Born into the Messianic movement’s founding generation, Lydia is a writer, editor, and translator. Holding a Literature & Linguistics degree, she serves Roeh Israel as Children and Youth Coordinator. She has three children with Yehuda.
Glossary
Commandment (mitzvah, מצווה) refers to an instruction from God that reveals His will and teaches His people how to live.
Covenant (brit, בְּרִית) means a sacred agreement or bond between parties, such as between God and His people.
Holiness (kedushah, קְדֻשָּׁה) means being pure, set apart, and living according to God's will as He instructed in His Word
Mitzvah (מצווה) means "commandment," and often refers to good and righteous deeds.
Shabbat (שַׁבָּת) refers to the seventh day, the Sabbath, set apart by God as a holy day of rest, worship, and delight (see Genesis 2:1-3).
Torah (תּוֹרָה) means “instruction” or “teaching” and often refers especially to the Five Books of Moses. Psalm 119:1 reminds us that those who walk in God's Torah are blessed.
Tzitzit (צִיצִית) means “fringes” or “tassels” and refers to the strings God commanded Israel to attach to the corners of their garments, to remind Israel to remember and obey God’s commandments.
Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ) is the Hebrew name of Jesus, meaning "salvation"
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