What is a Mitzvah?
The word mitzvah is well-known
outside of the Jewish world, but its meaning is often misunderstood and
misused. One often hears someone Jewish saying, “It’s a mitzvah!”
usually referring to a charitable, beneficial act performed by another
person. However, the Hebrew word mitzvah (pronounced
meetzVAH or MITZva) does not mean “a good deed” in that sense. So, just
what is a mitzvah?
Mitzvah (מִצְוָה; plural:
mitzvot or mitzvoth, מִצְווֹת)
is Hebrew and translates literally to “commandment” or “connection.” The term
is perhaps most recognizable in reference to the bar mitzvah, son
of the commandment, and bat mitzvah, daughter of the
commandment, which marks, for each, the entrance of a Jewish child into
adulthood at 12 for girls and 13 for boys.
Other words do appear in the Torah in reference
to the commandments, specifically with what became popularized as the
“Ten Commandments,” which is actually more accurately translated from the
Hebrewaseret ha'diburot as, literally, “the 10 words.”
Despite the popular understanding in the secular world that there are
only 10 mitzvot, there are actually 613 mitzvot in
the Torah.
A mitzvah is not simply a “good deed.” Mitzvot are commandments,
traditionally understood to come from G-d and to be intended for the Jewish
people to observe. A mitzvah is
the ultimate expression of how Judaism views religion. It’s not a specific
time, place, or with a specific thing. One
just has to have a relationship - a connection - with G-d. Judaism says you can, you should, have a
relationship with G-d over your morning coffee as much as you do over the
awe-inspiring day of Yom Kippur. There’s no set place and time that’s
just for G-d, to the exclusion of all other places and times - every place and
time can shout out “G-d!” And that’s just the idea of the mitzvah.
Perhaps the two most important mitzvot
are: “You shall love the Lord your G-d, with all your heart, with all your
might and with all your soul.” and “You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.” The most difficult part of
the second mitzvah is to love yourself.
After you love yourself, you can then love your neighbor. Practice, practice, practice.
Performing mitzvot creates light in the
world and that accumulation of light can lead to everything from joy and
fulfillment to enlightenment and inner peace.
Sometimes it can be easy to forget; the idea of performing good deeds
can feel routine. But being kind to
others results in a sort of dual effect: creating light for someone else and
warming yourself by that light at the same time.
There are always people in need of light. A good
deed, an act of kindness, a mitzvah - big or small, and whatever you may
choose to call it, regardless of your background or beliefs - creates light in
the world, a light that will brighten your day, too.
A “Mitzvah” starts at home. It speaks many languages, follows many
cultures and faiths. A “Mitzvah”
isn’t just a “commandment.” It’s a
“connection” – a connection to G-d and to your fellow sisters and brothers.
When you do a Mitzvah, you’re expressing that connection. You and your world become one with G-d.
Next time a mitzvah comes your way, make
the connection! The opportunity for a mitzvah is
always present.
G-d
loves you and we love you!
Rabbi Stuart Paris, HaKohen
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