mitzvah
mitzvah
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "mitzvah" is /ˈmɪts.və/.
Here's a breakdown by syllable:
mɪts:
/m/ - bilabial nasal
/ɪ/ - near-front near-close unrounded vowel
/ts/ - voiceless alveolar affricate
və:
/v/ - labiodental fricative
/ə/ - mid-central vowel (schwa)
Word Form Variations
Singular: mitzvah
Plural: mitzvot (מצוות)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
"Mitzvah" primarily functions as a noun. It doesn't commonly function as a verb, adjective, or adverb in standard English usage. Therefore, the definitions below focus on its noun form.
Noun:
1. A commandment or good deed: This is the most common understanding of "mitzvah." It refers to a religious or moral obligation, often one of the 613 commandments in Jewish law. It can also refer more broadly to any act of kindness or righteousness.
Synonyms: commandment, precept, good deed, righteous act, virtuous act, religious duty, moral obligation, act of loving-kindness (gemilut chassadim), meritorious act
Antonyms: transgression, sin, wrongdoing, violation, iniquity, misdeed, evil deed
2. (Informal) A good deed or act of kindness: Sometimes, "mitzvah" is used in a less strictly religious context to simply mean any good deed or act of kindness, even outside of a specifically Jewish context.
Synonyms: good deed, act of kindness, favor, helpful act, act of generosity, charitable act, benevolent act
Antonyms: unkindness, mean act, selfish act, disservice, harm, malevolence
3. (Less common) The object or item used in performing a mitzvah: In some contexts, particularly within observant Jewish communities, "mitzvah" can refer to the object used to perform the mitzvah. For example, the shofar (a ram's horn) used on Rosh Hashanah can be referred to as a "mitzvah." Similarly, the ritual fringes (tzitzit) on a tallit (prayer shawl) or the tefillin (phylacteries) could be called a "mitzvah."
Synonyms: ritual object, sacred object, religious article, implement of religious practice, item used in worship
Antonyms: (This sense of the word doesn't have direct antonyms, but rather relates to the general category of secular or non-religious objects.)
It's important to note that the primary and most frequent usage of "mitzvah" is the first definition, referring to a commandment or good deed. The other definitions are less common or represent a broadening of the term's meaning in certain contexts.
Examples of Use
Books:
"Performing a mitzvah, even a small one, can bring great spiritual reward." (This is a hypothetical example of how it might be used in a book about Jewish ethics or spirituality.)
"The rabbi explained the importance of fulfilling the mitzvot." (Hypothetical example from a book about Jewish law or practice.)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The local synagogue organized a mitzvah project to help the homeless shelter." (Hypothetical example from a news article about community service.)
"Volunteers performed a mitzvah by cleaning up the local cemetery." (Hypothetical example from a news article about a community project.)
"Rabbi so-and-so discusses the meaning of a particular mitzvah in this week's column." (Hypothetical example from a Jewish newspaper or online publication.)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
In the TV show "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (various episodes), the characters, who are Jewish, often discuss and perform mitzvahs, such as giving charity or helping others in their community. (This is a real example from popular culture.)
Many Jewish-themed films and television shows will likely include the word "mitzvah" in dialogue or plot points. (General observation based on the content of such media.)
Online forums and social media groups dedicated to Jewish culture and religion frequently use the word "mitzvah" in discussions and posts. (General observation of online communities.)
General Public Discourse:
"It's a mitzvah to help those in need." (This is a common expression used by both Jews and non-Jews, often in a more general sense of a good deed.)
"She performed a real mitzvah by donating her time to the charity." (Another example of using "mitzvah" in a broader sense of a good deed.)
"He felt good about performing the mitzvah." (This demonstrates the word's use in everyday conversations about acts of kindness.)
It's important to note that while "mitzvah" is a Hebrew word, it has entered into more general English usage, particularly in the context of discussing good deeds and acts of kindness. While its primary meaning is rooted in Jewish religious practice, it is sometimes used more broadly to describe any act of benevolence. Therefore, you're likely to encounter it in various contexts beyond solely Jewish settings.
10 Famous Quotes Using Mitzvah
"Each act of kindness is a mitzvah." — Elie Wiesel
"To save one life is to perform a mitzvah for the entire world." — Talmudic saying
"The mitzvah of giving begins with the heart." — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
"Joy is a mitzvah too." — Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
"Tikkun olam begins with one mitzvah at a time." — Jewish proverb
"A mitzvah done in silence may echo louder than one shouted." — Anonymous
"The beauty of a mitzvah lies in its humility." — Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
"Let every day be a chance for one mitzvah more." — Anonymous
"You don’t have to be religious to perform a mitzvah—you just need to care." — Anonymous
"Kindness is the mitzvah the world needs most." — Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Etymology
"Mitzvah" comes from the Hebrew word מִצְוָה (mitzvah). It's a very old word, dating back to biblical Hebrew.
The root of the word is צ-ו-ה (tzav-vav-heh), which means "to command" or "to order." Think of it like giving an instruction or a directive.
So, the original and primary meaning of "mitzvah" is a commandment or a divine decree. It specifically refers to the commandments given by God in the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). These commandments are seen as God's instructions for how people should live.
The first known uses of the word are found within the Torah itself. For example, the Ten Commandments are referred to as aseret hadibrot (the ten sayings/words), but each individual commandment within that set, and within the broader 613 commandments, is a "mitzvah."
Over time, the meaning of "mitzvah" has broadened slightly. While it still fundamentally means a commandment, it has also come to encompass any good deed or righteous act, even if it's not a specific commandment from the Torah. This broader usage reflects the idea that all good deeds are, in a sense, fulfilling God's will and are therefore aligned with the spirit of the commandments.
In short, "mitzvah" started as a word for a divine command, and it retains that core meaning, but it has also grown to include the broader concept of any act of goodness or righteousness. It's a word rooted in the idea of instruction and obedience to divine will, but it also expresses the positive actions that flow from that obedience.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Mitzvah
Since direct idioms are rare, let's focus on expressing the idea of a mitzvah:
"It's a mitzvah to..." This is the most common way "mitzvah" is used in a phrase. It's not an idiom, but a direct statement. Example: "It's a mitzvah to help the needy."
"Doing a mitzvah" This is another common usage, again not an idiom, but a descriptive phrase. Example: "She felt good about doing a mitzvah."
"A mitzvah project" This phrase is used to describe a community service project, often organized by a synagogue or Jewish organization.
To capture the spirit of a mitzvah, we can use idioms with synonyms:
"To do a good deed" This is a general idiom for performing an act of kindness. It captures the essence of a mitzvah.
"To lend a helping hand" This idiom expresses the act of assisting someone in need, which is often a mitzvah.
"To go the extra mile" This idiom describes going above and beyond what is expected, which can be a way of fulfilling a mitzvah.
"To pay it forward" While more modern, this concept of doing good deeds for others in response to kindness received is aligned with the general principle of mitzvot.
Original phrases (to illustrate potential usage):
"He earned a mitzvah by visiting the sick." (Illustrates the concept of earning merit through good deeds)
"She approached the task with a mitzvah mindset." (Illustrates a dedicated and righteous approach)
"The mitzvah of hospitality is highly valued." (Illustrates the importance of certain acts of kindness)
Why are there so few idioms?
The reason "mitzvah" hasn't generated many English idioms is that it's primarily used within a specific cultural and religious context. Idioms tend to develop from words and concepts that are widely used in everyday language across diverse populations. While the concept of doing good deeds is universal, the specific term "mitzvah" remains more closely tied to Jewish tradition.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of mitzvah from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
