If you’re just starting your Jewish journey — or returning to it — you’ll hear the word mitzvah everywhere. Light Shabbat candles? A mitzvah. Honor your parents? A mitzvah. Eating kosher? A mitzvah. Giving to charity? Also a mitzvah.

But what is a mitzvah, really?

Most people translate “mitzvah” as commandment — and yes, there are 613 commandments in the Torah. But the deeper meaning is so much more beautiful. The Hebrew root of mitzvah is connected to tzavta, which means connection or togetherness.

So a mitzvah is not just “a rule.”
It’s an opportunity to connect to HaShem, to our purpose, and to the Jewish people — past, present, and future.

Think of mitzvot as tiny sparks of holiness placed throughout the world. Every time we do one, we bring a little more light into our lives and into the world around us.

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Why Mitzvot Matter

1. They connect us to Hashem.

Every mitzvah is like picking up a spiritual phone call. We’re intentionally choosing to bring something sacred into an ordinary moment — eating, waking up, giving, lighting candles, speaking kindly.

2. They bring structure and meaning to daily life.

Judaism isn’t just something we do in a synagogue. It’s woven into how we speak, eat, rest, treat others, and show up in the world.

3. They shape the Jewish soul.

Doing mitzvot regularly helps build discipline, gratitude, compassion, mindfulness, and responsibility — all the things that make you a healthier, happier human being.

4. They anchor Jewish identity.

Mitzvot tie us to our ancestors and keep us connected to millions of Jews who do these same practices every week and every generation.

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Different Types of Mitzvot (Easy Breakdown)

There are many ways to categorize mitzvot, but here are the most helpful ones for beginners:

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1. Positive vs. Negative Mitzvot

• Positive mitzvot (mitzvot aseh):
  Things we do — such as light candles, give charity, say blessings, rest on Shabbat.
• Negative mitzvot (mitzvot lo ta’aseh):
  Things we avoid — such as not stealing, not gossiping, not mixing meat and dairy, not harming others.

Both matter. Positive mitzvot bring holiness into the world; negative mitzvot protect holiness by creating healthy boundaries.

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2. Mitzvot Between Us and HaShem (Bein Adam L’Makom)

These are spiritual practices that build our relationship with the Creator.
Examples:

• Prayer
• Kosher laws
• Shabbat and holidays
• Blessings
• Wearing tzitzit or tefillin
• Learning Torah

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3. Mitzvot Between People (Bein Adam L’Chavero)

Judaism doesn’t separate “spiritual” from “ethical.”
If anything, the Torah repeats ethical mitzvot more often — because holiness starts with how we treat people.

Examples:

• Giving charity (tzedakah)
• Visiting the sick
• Speaking kindly
• Not gossiping
• Welcoming guests
• Honest business practices
• Helping someone in need

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4. Ritual vs. Ethical Mitzvot

• Ritual:
  Light candles, kosher, Shabbat, mezuzah, fast days, blessings, etc.
• Ethical:
  Kindness, honesty, charity, not embarrassing others, honoring parents, etc.

Both are essential.
It’s like a body and soul — ritual mitzvot give structure; ethical mitzvot give heart.

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How Many Mitzvot Are There?

There are 613 mitzvot in the Torah, but here’s the good news:

You’re not expected to do all 613.

Some mitzvot only apply to:

• women
• men
• married people
• farmers
• kohanim (priests)
• times when the Temple stood
• people living in the Land of Israel

So don’t panic.
No beginner — and no ordinary Jew — is doing all 613.

Start where you are.
Take one step at a time.
Every mitzvah counts. Every one.

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How to Start Doing Mitzvot (Beginner-Friendly Steps)

You don’t have to change your whole life overnight. Most journeys begin so simply.

Here’s a gentle, doable approach:

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1. Begin With a Few Daily Mitzvot

Pick one or two to build a foundation:

• Saying Modeh Ani when you wake up
• Washing hands in the morning
• Blessings before and after eating
• Giving a little tzedakah

These are small actions with big spiritual impact.

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2. Add Weekly Mitzvot

Once you’re ready:

• Lighting Shabbat candles
• Saying Kiddush
• Avoiding work for an hour or two Friday night
• Studying Torah weekly

You don’t have to do a “full Shabbat” right away. Start by bringing more holiness into your Friday night.

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3. Begin Introducing Kosher Practices

You’ve already written (or are writing) many posts about kosher — so this is where readers can branch out:

• Start separating meat and dairy
• Stop eating certain non-kosher foods
• Choose kosher-certified products
• Make your kitchen slowly more kosher-friendly

No pressure. Growth over perfection.

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4. Start Focusing on Ethical Mitzvot

A mitzvah from the heart is incredibly powerful:

• Kindness
• Forgiving others
• Speaking gently
• Not gossiping
• Being patient
• Showing gratitude

You’ll feel your soul soften and expand in ways you didn’t expect.

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5. Celebrate Each Step

Every mitzvah you do — even one — releases spiritual light.
HaShem celebrates every step forward, even tiny ones.

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“But What If I Mess Up?”

You will.
We all do.

Judaism isn’t about perfection.
It’s about returning, realigning, and trying again with sincerity.

Mitzvot are tools for growth, not weapons of guilt.

If you’re aiming to bring G-d into your life and you’re trying your best?
You’re already on the right path.

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Examples of Beautiful, Accessible Mitzvot

Here are a few you might naturally connect to:

Spiritual–Ritual:

• Lighting Shabbat candles
• Saying Shema morning and night
• Keeping a small kosher practice
• Learning Torah weekly
• Wearing a Magen David or keeping a prayer book nearby
• Blessing your children (or yourself!) on Shabbat

Kindness–Ethical:

• Checking on someone who’s lonely
• Helping without being asked
• Forgiving someone
• Letting someone go ahead of you in line
• Leaving a few dollars in a charity box

Daily reminders:

• Saying blessings over food
• Not wasting food
• Being mindful with speech
• Practicing gratitude

Every one of these is a mitzvah.
Every one brings light.

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Mitzvot Are Not About “All or Nothing”

One of the biggest misunderstandings is thinking you have to keep everything perfectly or not at all.

No. Judaism is a path, not a test.

You grow, you experiment, you fall, you get up, and your journey becomes uniquely yours — and uniquely beautiful.

HaShem meets you right where you are.

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A Final Thought: Mitzvot Are a Love Language

When you do a mitzvah, you’re basically saying:

“Hashem, I want You in my life.”

And Hashem responds:

“I’m right here with you.”

Mitzvot aren’t chores.
They’re sacred opportunities to weave holiness into ordinary life.
They transform simple moments — eating, speaking, giving, resting — into something eternal.

And the best part?

You can start right now, exactly as you are.

Want to Learn Even More?

• Chabad.org — Mitzvah Basics
• My Jewish Learning — Mitzvot Walking In Holiness
• My Jewish Learning — Mitzvot: Contemporary Understanding