Mitzvah

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פדיון פטר חמר

Mitzvah (Hebrew: מִצְוָה, plural: מִצְווֹת mitzvot) is a term originating from the Torah, the foundational text of Judaism. It refers to a commandment commanded by God to be performed as a religious duty. Jewish tradition recognizes 613 mitzvot, which are divided into two categories: Positive commandments (to do something) and Negative commandments (to abstain from doing something).

Etymology and Meaning

The word mitzvah comes from the root צוה (tzavah), meaning "command." In its broadest sense, mitzvah can refer to any good deed or religious precept, but it is most commonly used to denote the specific commandments found in the Torah. The plural form, mitzvot, encompasses the entire spectrum of commanded actions and prohibitions in Jewish law or Halakha.

Classification

Jewish tradition, based on the work of medieval Jewish scholars such as Maimonides, categorizes the 613 commandments into positive and negative commandments. There are 248 positive commandments, which correspond metaphorically to the number of limbs in the human body, and 365 negative commandments, corresponding to the number of days in the solar year. This symbolic representation underscores the comprehensive nature of the mitzvot, aiming to guide every aspect of daily life.

Positive Commandments

Positive commandments require an action or deed. Examples include the obligation to pray, to give charity, to observe the Sabbath, and to perform the various rituals associated with Jewish holidays, such as eating matzah on Passover.

Negative Commandments

Negative commandments prohibit certain actions. Examples include the prohibitions against theft, murder, eating forbidden foods (such as pork or shellfish), and violating the Sabbath by performing prohibited work.

Significance in Jewish Life

Mitzvot are central to Jewish life and identity. Observance of the mitzvot is considered a means of maintaining a connection with God and a way to sanctify everyday life. Through the performance of mitzvot, Jews seek to fulfill their covenantal relationship with God, embodying the principles of Torah in their actions and ethics.

Contemporary Perspectives

In modern times, the observance and interpretation of mitzvot have diversified across the various Jewish denominations. Orthodox Judaism maintains a traditional approach, emphasizing strict adherence to Halakha. Conservative Judaism also upholds the authority of Halakha, but it allows for more interpretation and adaptation to contemporary circumstances. Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism, on the other hand, view the mitzvot more as guidelines than as obligatory commandments, focusing on the ethical and moral principles they embody.

See Also

• Jewish ethics
• 613 commandments
• Halakha
• Torah
• Jewish holidays