In its primary meaning, the Hebrew word mitzvah meaning "commandment", refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God. It is used in rabbinical Judaism to refer to the 613 commandments given in the Torah at biblical Mount Sinai and the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later for a total of 620. The 613 commandments divided into two categories: 365 negative commandments and 248 positive commandments. According to the Talmud, all moral laws are, or are derived from, divine commandments. In its secondary meaning, Hebrew mitzvah, as with English "commandment", refers to a moral deed performed as a religious duty. As such, the term mitzvah has also come to express an act of human kindness. The tertiary meaning of mitzvah also refers to the fulfillment of a mitzvah.

Jewish Commandments

The Talmud tells us (Tractate Makkot 23b) that there are 613 commandments in the Torah; 248 Positive Commandments (do's) and 365 Negative Commandments (do not's). However, the Talmud does not provide us with a list of these commandments.

A Few Positive Mitzvots

-Believing in G­od

-Unity of G­od

-Loving God

-Fearing Go­d

-Worshiping Go­d

-Cleaving to G­d

-Taking an oath by Godd Name

-Reading the Shema twice daily

A Few Negative Mitzvot

-Not believing in any other G­d

-Not to make images for the purpose of worship

-Not to make an idol (even for others) to worship

-Not to make figures of human beings

-Not to bow down to an idol

-Not to worship idols