mitzvot

Mitzvot, in Judaism, refers to divine commandments or obligations prescribed by God. The term encompasses a wide range of duties, from ritual laws to ethical injunctions, believed to guide Jewish life and bind the community to covenantal obligations.

Traditionally, mitzvot are categorized as positive commandments (mitzvot aseh) to perform, and negative commandments (mitzvot lo ta’aseh) to refrain from. The classical tally is 613 commandments, often cited as 248 positive and 365 negative, a count popularized by medieval sources such as Maimonides in Sefer Hamitzvot. Some later scholars and movements propose different enumerations or emphasize that not every commandment is equally binding for all communities or eras.

The Torah serves as the primary source of mitzvot, complemented by the Oral Law and later rabbinic literature that explain, implement, and expand on the commandments. Key codifications and commentaries, including the Shulchan Aruch in later centuries, organize and clarify how mitzvot are observed in daily life, ritual practice, and communal governance.

Mitzvot are commonly divided into two broad categories: between God and human beings (bein adam leMakom) and between people (bein adam lechavero). Examples of bein adam leMakom include observance of Shabbat, keeping kosher, and prayer, while bein adam lechavero covers prohibitions against theft and murder and the obligation to honor parents or give charity.

In practice, mitzvot shape Jewish worship, ethics, and community structure. Attitudes toward their authority vary among movements and individuals, with some viewing them as timeless divine commands and others interpreting them as traditions that evolve with context.