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noun

mitzvah

MIHTS-vuh

Mitzvah (noun) means one of the 613 commandments in Jewish religious law. Example: “Observant Jews try to follow each mitzvah as part of daily life.”

noun
1
One of the 613 commandments in Jewish religious law.
"Observant Jews try to follow each mitzvah as part of daily life."
2
A good deed or act of kindness done for its own sake.
"Helping the elderly neighbor carry her groceries was a real mitzvah."
"Donating blood is considered a mitzvah by many."

How to use mitzvah

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA religious duty in Judaism, or more casually, a kind and worthwhile thing to do.

Common pairings
do a mitzvah bar mitzvah bat mitzvah

Word forms

mitzvahs plural, mitzvot plural, mitzvoth plural, mitzvos plural

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Observant Jews try to follow each _____ as part of daily life.

Etymology

Borrowed from Hebrew מצווה (mitsvá), meaning "a commandment."

Origin: Hebrew

mitsvah

Frequently asked questions

What does “mitzvah” mean?

The word “mitzvah” means one of the 613 commandments in Jewish religious law. In plain terms, a religious duty in Judaism, or more casually, a kind and worthwhile thing to do.

How do you pronounce “mitzvah”?

“Mitzvah” is pronounced MIHTS-vuh (/ˈmɪts.və/ in IPA).

How do you use “mitzvah” in a sentence?

Here is “mitzvah” used in a sentence: “Observant Jews try to follow each mitzvah as part of daily life.”

What part of speech is “mitzvah”?

“Mitzvah” is a noun.

Where does the word “mitzvah” come from?

The word “mitzvah” comes from Hebrew. Borrowed from Hebrew מצווה (mitsvá), meaning "a commandment.".

How many meanings does “mitzvah” have?

“Mitzvah” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of the 613 commandments in Jewish religious law.

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