1 One of the six hundred thirteen commandments given by G-d to the Jewish People, or seven commandments given by G-d to the nations of the world, at Mt Sinai
(pl mitzvos): A religious obligation, good deed; one of the 613 commandments of the Torah
Literal translation: commandment or obligation Plural of mitzvah is mitzvot The torah contains 613 mitzvot, 248 of which are termed "positive" commandments and 365 of which are "negative " Mitzvot are not for personal gain, "but to perfect moral character and to express love of God " (Siddur Miforash, p 26A) Some people refer to good deeds as mitzvot
( meetz-VAH ) A commanded deed, a value-action A fundamental Jewish concept about the obligation of the individual to perform command-ments set forth in the TORAH and elaborated by rabbinic tradition Often it is used to mean a "good deed "