Definition

1. 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

1. (Judaism) a good deed performed out of religious duty
2. (Judaism) a precept or commandment of the Jewish law