About the 613 Mitzvahs?

Question

What is the exact meaning of the word Mitzvah?

Is it "commandment" or "saying"?

In the religion class I took, the professor mentioned something about that. She said they are only "sayings" not "commandments"

Is that right? and if it is right, does this mean that the Jews aren't strictly required to follow them (and follow the ten Mitzvahs which are a part of them) as supposed to christians who must follow the ten commandments?

I just feel a bit confused.

How do the Jews view the 613 Mitzvahs?

I hope my question is clear because I am confused, I think my wording is somehow confusing too. I am sorry about this.

Peace

Answer 1

As Tehila said, a Mitsva is a commandment.

There are 2 different types of commandments, there are commandment we must do (such as keep the Shabbes) and commandments we must not do(such as murder).

A Mitsva is also considered a good dead because every good dead comes from one of the commandments such as "treat the other like you would like to be treated" (Ve Ahavta Le Reaha Kamoha).

We must follow all the Mitsvas including the 10 commandments of course.

Answer 2

There are a lot of Christians such as the 7TH Day Adventist that believe in Saturday Sabbath and that all 613 should be used as our daily lifestyle.  As they apply today.  

His word is as much for today as it was when Moses got it.

Remember most of the dietary laws have been proved by science to serve to keep disease down and the body healthier longer.

As in pork.  It is just an unhealthy food even in sanitary conditions.

Answer 3

the hebrew word mitzvah means "that which has been commanded" -- the 10 "commandments" are actually referred to as the ten statements textually but because what they relate are in the form of the imperative, they are also commandments (not every commandment is introduced with the word "command" in the text).

Answer 4

Commandment,

your avatar is cute as a button i want to buy you a minivan.

Answer 5

Mitzvah in Hebrew means "commandment"

Mitzvahs are commandments outlined in the Torah for Jews to follow. But Hashem(G-d) doesnt want his people to be forced to do anything. He wants us to choose the good not to be forced to follow anything. While christians use the "h**l" tatic as if you dont follow a law then you will be sent to h**l. But in Judaism there is no tactics as such. But many Jews view the Mitzvot in different ways. Some follow all. Some follow all but make a few changes. Some make it customizable to their life style(what i do).

Answer 6

Hi, you got some good answers here, but just for the record, you'd probably get more answers for a question like this in "religion and spirituality." =]

Answer 7

According to the dictionary, a mitzvah is a commandment, precept; good act (deed) , a virtue.

According to Orthodox Judaism, Jews are obligated to follow the 613 to the best of their ability.

Conservative and Reform Judaism were created within the last 200 years, and their views are much different than those of Orthodox Judaism.

Answer 8

A. A Mitzvah (pronounced MITZ-vah) is a Hebrew word which means “commandment” and “connection.” A Mitzvah is a commandment. If I command you to serve me lunch, that’s a Mitzvah from me to you. The Mitzvot are G-d’s commandments to the Jewish people in the Torah.

B. There are two types of Mitzvot mentioned in the Torah: Positive Mitzvot and Negative Mitzvot. Positive Mitzvot tell you, “Do this!”: give charity, eat Matzah, return a lost object. Negative Mitzvot tell you, “Don’t do this!”: don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t eat on Yom Kippur. There are 248 Positive Mitzvot and 365 Negative Mitzvot, for a total of 613. Mitzvot also divvy up in Ethical and Ritual categories: Ethical Mitzvot lay down how to interact with fellow humans, such as not taking revenge or hurting orphans, and Ritual Mitzvot lay down how to interact with G-d, such as keeping Shabbat or building a Sukkah. In addition, The Sages added seven Mitzvot, bringing the total to 620.

There’s no set place and time that’s just for G-d... every place and time can shout out “G-d!”

C. A Mitzvah is the ultimate expression of how Judaism views religion. It’s not a specific time, place, or with a specific thing, when or where or with which one has a relationship with G-d. Jazz great Herbie Hancock maintains a “religion room” in his home. In there, he’s religious. Everywhere else… well, you’ll have to ask Herbie about that. Judaism says you can, you should, have a relationship with G-d over the morning coffee—by drinking Kosher—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. For “Mitzvah” doesn’t just mean “commandment”: it means “connection” too. You are connected to G-d. When you do a Mitzvah, you’re expressing that connection. Whatever, whenever, you’re always connected to G-d, and you can express that connection by doing a Mitzvah.

Answer 9

A mitzvah is a commandment. The 613 mitzvot (plural) aren't optional--they are to be observed by all Jews--although ALL Jews don't agree!  :)

I'm Orthodox, and we do our best to keep the mitzvot that can still be kept today. Some of them can't--they pertained directly to the Temple, and since we don't have a Temple any more, we can't perform those mitzvot.

More liberal Jews don't believe that the mitzvot are to be kept today, and even though the word MEANS 'commandment', they tend to believe that mitzvot are good deeds, which lends an 'optional' feel to it all. But the meaning of the words is properly 'commandment'.