mitsvah
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Definition
- Noun:
- (Judaism) A good deed performed out of religious duty: In Jewish tradition, a mitsvah (often spelled mitzvah) is an act of kindness or a commandment fulfilled as a religious obligation, carrying spiritual significance.
- (Judaism) A precept or commandment of the Jewish law: A mitsvah is also one of the 613 divine commandments found in the Torah, encompassing both ethical and ritual laws.
Usage Examples
Noun (Good Deed):
- Helping the elderly neighbor with her groceries was a true mitsvah.
- He performed a mitsvah by visiting the sick in the hospital.
Noun (Commandment):
- Observing the Sabbath is a fundamental mitsvah in Judaism.
- The mitsvah of giving charity is taken very seriously.
Advanced Usage
- "Bar mitsvah" / "Bat mitsvah": A ceremony marking a boy's () or girl's () coming of age, at which they become obligated to observe the commandments.
- His bar mitsvah ceremony will be held next Saturday.
- "Mitsvah goreret mitsvah": A Hebrew phrase meaning "one commandment leads to another," emphasizing that performing one good deed inspires further righteous action.
Variants and Related Words
- Mitzvah: The more common transliteration of the same Hebrew word.
- Commandment: A general term for a divine rule or order.
- Precept: A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.
Synonyms
- Good deed: A kind or helpful act.
- Obligation: Something one is bound to do by duty or law.
- Injunction: An authoritative order or command.
Related Phrases
- To do a mitsvah: To perform a good deed or fulfill a commandment.
- Let's do a mitsvah and volunteer at the shelter.
- A time-bound mitsvah: A commandment that must be performed at a specific time (e.g., hearing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah).
Noun
- (Judaism) a good deed performed out of religious duty
- (Judaism) a precept or commandment of the Jewish law