Mitzvah
Encyclopedia
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word ("commandment", , mit͡sˈva, Biblical: ; plural mit͡sˈvot, Biblical: ; from "command") refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God. It is a word used in Judaism
to refer to the 613 commandments
given in the Torah
(at Har Sinai, Where all the jews accepted the Torah, Saying "We will do, and we will listen) and the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later for a total of 620. According to the teachings of Judaism
, all moral laws are, or are derived from, divine commandments
.
The secondary meaning of Hebrew , as with English "commandment," refers to a moral deed performed as a religious duty. As such, the term has also come to express an act of human kindness. The tertiary meaning of also refers to the fulfillment of a .
The opinions of the Talmud
ic rabbi
s are divided between those who seek the purpose
of the and those who do not question them. The latter argue that if the reason for each could be determined, people might try to achieve what they see as the purpose of the , without actually performing the mitzvah itself ("Lishma"), which would become self-defeating. The former believe that if people were to understand the reason and the purpose for each , it would actually help them to observe and perform the (Some of the Mitzvot are given reasoning in the Torah).
of the Hebrew Bible
. The first use is in Genesis 26:5 where God says that Abraham
has "obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments ( ), my statutes, and my laws." In the Septuagint the word is usually translated with entole . In Second Temple period
funeral inscriptions the epithet phil-entolos, "lover of the commandments," was sometimes inscribed on Jewish tombs. Other words are also used in Hebrew for commands and statutes, for example the Ten Commandments
(עשרת הדיברות) are the "Ten Words".
does not state that there are 613 commandments. The Rabbis came to assume that the Law of the Torah comprised 613 commandments. According to Rabbi Simlai, as quoted in the Talmud
, this enumeration of 613 commandments
was representative of the following.
Three of the negative commandments fall under the category of self-sacrifice under Jewish Law
, meaning "one should [let himself] be killed rather than transgress the prohibition."
The number 613 can also be obtained by gematria
(a traditional method of number substitution). The gematria value for the word "Torah" is 611, which corresponds to the number of commandments given via Moses
, with the remaining two being identified as the first two of the Ten Commandments
, which tradition holds were the only ones given by the Mouth of God Himself
. (There is also another thing that reminds the Jewish People of the 613 commandments--'Tzitzit'-known as 'fringes' or 'strings' (sometimes hanging outside a jewish mans pants).).
According to Rabbi Ishmael, only the principal commandments of these 613 were given on Mount Sinai
, the remainder having been given in the Tent of Meeting. Rabbi Akiba, on the other hand, was of the opinion that they were all given on Mount Sinai, repeated in the Tent of Meeting, and declared a third time by Moses before his death. According to the Midrash
, all divine commandments were given on Mount Sinai, and no prophet could add any new one.(But, of course theres always the 'reform jews')
In rabbinic literature
there are a number of works, mainly by the Rishonim
, that were composed to determine which commandments belong in this enumeration:
, translated as commandments of the Law (Torah). In contradistinction to this are rabbinical commandments, referred to as Mitzvot d'rabbanan
. Mitzvot d'rabbanan are a type of takkanah
. Among the more important mitzvot d'rabbanan are:
These seven rabbinical commandments are treated like Biblical commandments insofar as, prior to the performance of each, a benediction
is recited, i.e.:
The divine command is considered implied in the general law to follow any instructions of the religious authorities (Deuteronomy
17:11, and 32:7; Shab. 23a). In addition, many of the specific details of the Biblical mitzvot are only derived via rabbinical application of the Oral Torah
(Mishna/Gemarah); for example, the reading of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-7), the binding of the tefillin
and the fixing of the mezuzah
(Deuteronomy 6:8-9), and the saying of Grace After Meals
(Deuteronomy 8:10).
, six different law codes are considered to compose the body of the Torah's text:
In Biblical criticism, not accepted throughout the Jewish world, these codes are studied separately, particularly concerning the features unique, or first appearing, in each. Many of the mitzvot enumerated as being from one or other of these codes are also present in others, sometimes phrased in a different manner, or with additional clauses. Also, themes, such as idolatry, sexual behaviour, ritual cleanliness, and offerings of sacrifice, are shared among all six codes, and thus, in more religiously motivated theological
studies, it is often the case that the mitzvot are organised instead by theme, rather than the location in which they are found within the Bible.
The system describing the practical application of the commandments is known as Halakha
, loosely Jewish Law. The Halakha is the development of the Mitzvot as contained in the written law, via discussion and debate in the Oral law
, as recorded in the rabbinic literature
of the classical era, especially the Mishnah
and the Talmud
.
The Halakha dictates and influences a wide variety of behavior of traditionalist Jews
Many of these laws concern only special classes of people -- such as kings
or Kohanim (the priesthood), Levite
s, or Nazarites -- or are conditioned by local or temporary circumstances of the Jewish nation, as, for instance, the agricultural, sacrificial, and Levitical laws.
The majority view of classical rabbis was that the commandments will still be applicable and in force during the Messianic Era. However, a significant minority of rabbis held that most of the commandments will be nullified by, or in, the messianic era. Examples of such rabbinic views include:
There is no authoritative answer accepted within Judaism as to which mitzvot, if any, would be annulled in the messianic era. This is a subject of academic debate and, not being viewed as an immediately practical question, is usually passed over in favor of answering questions of the practical halachah. It is important to note that in the Messianic era itself there are different stages. In addition there is a dispute between Maimonides and Nachmonides whether the ultimate Messianic state will be bodies with souls or souls alone. So that the various opinions as to the annulment of Biblical prohibitions need to be understood in this context.
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
to refer to the 613 commandments
613 mitzvot
The 613 commandments is a numbering of the statements and principles of law, ethics, and spiritual practice contained in the Torah or Five Books of Moses...
given in the Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
(at Har Sinai, Where all the jews accepted the Torah, Saying "We will do, and we will listen) and the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later for a total of 620. According to the teachings of Judaism
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
, all moral laws are, or are derived from, divine commandments
Divine law
Divine law is any law that in the opinion of believers, comes directly from the will of God . Like natural law it is independent of the will of man, who cannot change it. However it may be revealed or not, so it may change in human perception in time through new revelation...
.
The secondary meaning of Hebrew , as with English "commandment," refers to a moral deed performed as a religious duty. As such, the term has also come to express an act of human kindness. The tertiary meaning of also refers to the fulfillment of a .
The opinions of the Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
ic rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
s are divided between those who seek the purpose
Teleology
A teleology is any philosophical account which holds that final causes exist in nature, meaning that design and purpose analogous to that found in human actions are inherent also in the rest of nature. The word comes from the Greek τέλος, telos; root: τελε-, "end, purpose...
of the and those who do not question them. The latter argue that if the reason for each could be determined, people might try to achieve what they see as the purpose of the , without actually performing the mitzvah itself ("Lishma"), which would become self-defeating. The former believe that if people were to understand the reason and the purpose for each , it would actually help them to observe and perform the (Some of the Mitzvot are given reasoning in the Torah).
Hebrew Bible
The feminine noun occurs over 180 times in the Masoretic TextMasoretic Text
The Masoretic Text is the authoritative Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible and is regarded as Judaism's official version of the Tanakh. While the Masoretic Text defines the books of the Jewish canon, it also defines the precise letter-text of these biblical books, with their vocalization and...
of the Hebrew Bible
Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a term used by biblical scholars outside of Judaism to refer to the Tanakh , a canonical collection of Jewish texts, and the common textual antecedent of the several canonical editions of the Christian Old Testament...
. The first use is in Genesis 26:5 where God says that Abraham
Abraham
Abraham , whose birth name was Abram, is the eponym of the Abrahamic religions, among which are Judaism, Christianity and Islam...
has "obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments ( ), my statutes, and my laws." In the Septuagint the word is usually translated with entole . In Second Temple period
Second Temple period
The Second Temple period , in Jewish history, is the period between 530 BCE and 70 CE, when the Second Temple of Jerusalem existed. It ended with the First Jewish–Roman War and the Temple's destruction....
funeral inscriptions the epithet phil-entolos, "lover of the commandments," was sometimes inscribed on Jewish tombs. Other words are also used in Hebrew for commands and statutes, for example the Ten Commandments
Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue , are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and most forms of Christianity. They include instructions to worship only God and to keep the Sabbath, and prohibitions against idolatry,...
(עשרת הדיברות) are the "Ten Words".
Rabbinical enumeration
The TanakhTanakh
The Tanakh is a name used in Judaism for the canon of the Hebrew Bible. The Tanakh is also known as the Masoretic Text or the Miqra. The name is an acronym formed from the initial Hebrew letters of the Masoretic Text's three traditional subdivisions: The Torah , Nevi'im and Ketuvim —hence...
does not state that there are 613 commandments. The Rabbis came to assume that the Law of the Torah comprised 613 commandments. According to Rabbi Simlai, as quoted in the Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
, this enumeration of 613 commandments
613 mitzvot
The 613 commandments is a numbering of the statements and principles of law, ethics, and spiritual practice contained in the Torah or Five Books of Moses...
was representative of the following.
Three of the negative commandments fall under the category of self-sacrifice under Jewish Law
Self-sacrifice under Jewish Law
Although rare, there are instances within Jewish law that mandate a Jew to sacrifice his or her own life rather than violate a religious prohibition. One of these prohibitions is that no life should be taken, including one's own...
, meaning "one should [let himself] be killed rather than transgress the prohibition."
The number 613 can also be obtained by gematria
Gematria
Gematria or gimatria is a system of assigning numerical value to a word or phrase, in the belief that words or phrases with identical numerical values bear some relation to each other, or bear some relation to the number itself as it may apply to a person's age, the calendar year, or the like...
(a traditional method of number substitution). The gematria value for the word "Torah" is 611, which corresponds to the number of commandments given via Moses
Moses
Moses was, according to the Hebrew Bible and Qur'an, a religious leader, lawgiver and prophet, to whom the authorship of the Torah is traditionally attributed...
, with the remaining two being identified as the first two of the Ten Commandments
Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue , are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and most forms of Christianity. They include instructions to worship only God and to keep the Sabbath, and prohibitions against idolatry,...
, which tradition holds were the only ones given by the Mouth of God Himself
Revelation
In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing, through active or passive communication with a supernatural or a divine entity...
. (There is also another thing that reminds the Jewish People of the 613 commandments--'Tzitzit'-known as 'fringes' or 'strings' (sometimes hanging outside a jewish mans pants).).
According to Rabbi Ishmael, only the principal commandments of these 613 were given on Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai , also known as Mount Horeb, Mount Musa, Gabal Musa , Jabal Musa meaning "Moses' Mountain", is a mountain near Saint Catherine in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. A mountain called Mount Sinai is mentioned many times in the Book of Exodus in the Torah and the Bible as well as the Quran...
, the remainder having been given in the Tent of Meeting. Rabbi Akiba, on the other hand, was of the opinion that they were all given on Mount Sinai, repeated in the Tent of Meeting, and declared a third time by Moses before his death. According to the Midrash
Midrash
The Hebrew term Midrash is a homiletic method of biblical exegesis. The term also refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Bible....
, all divine commandments were given on Mount Sinai, and no prophet could add any new one.(But, of course theres always the 'reform jews')
In rabbinic literature
Rabbinic literature
Rabbinic literature, in its broadest sense, can mean the entire spectrum of rabbinic writings throughout Jewish history. However, the term often refers specifically to literature from the Talmudic era, as opposed to medieval and modern rabbinic writing, and thus corresponds with the Hebrew term...
there are a number of works, mainly by the Rishonim
Rishonim
"Rishon" redirects here. For the preon model in particle physics, see Harari Rishon Model. For the Israeli town, see Rishon LeZion.Rishonim were the leading Rabbis and Poskim who lived approximately during the 11th to 15th centuries, in the era before the writing of the Shulkhan Arukh and...
, that were composed to determine which commandments belong in this enumeration:
- MaimonidesMaimonidesMoses ben-Maimon, called Maimonides and also known as Mūsā ibn Maymūn in Arabic, or Rambam , was a preeminent medieval Jewish philosopher and one of the greatest Torah scholars and physicians of the Middle Ages...
' Sefer HamitzvotSefer HamitzvotSefer Hamitzvot is a work by the 12th century rabbi, philosopher and physician Maimonides. While there are various other works titled similarly, the title "Sefer Hamitzvot" without a modifier refers to Maimonides' work...
("Book of Commandments"), on which there is a critical commentary by Nachmanides; - Sefer ha-ChinuchSefer ha-ChinuchThe Sefer ha-Chinuch , often simply "the Chinuch" is a work which systematically discusses the 613 commandments of the Torah. It was published anonymously in 13th century Spain...
("Book of Education"), attributed to RabbiRabbiIn Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Aaron ha-Levi of Barcelona (the Ra'ah); - Sefer ha-Mitzvoth ha-Gadol ("Large book of Commandments") by Rabbi Moses of Coucy;
- Sefer ha-Mitzvoth ha-Katan ("Small book of Commandments") by Rabbi Isaac of Corbeil;
- Sefer Yere'im ("Book of the [God-]fearing") by Rabbi Eliezer of Metz (not a clear enumeration);
- Sefer Mitzvot HaShem ("The book of God's Commandments") by Rabbi Boruch Bentshar of Sokol;
- Sefer ha-Mitzvoth by RabbiRabbiIn Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Yisrael Meir KaganYisrael Meir KaganYisrael Meir Poupko , known popularly as The Chofetz Chaim, was an influential Eastern European rabbi, Halakhist, posek, and ethicist whose works continue to be widely influential in Jewish life...
(the "Chafetz Chaim") - this work only deals with the commandments that are applicable at the present time.
Rabbinical mitzvot
The Biblical mitzvot are referred to in the Talmud as Mitzvot d'oraitaD'Oraita and D'Rabbanan
The Aramaic terms de-'oraita and de-rabbanan are used extensively in discussion and text relating to Jewish law. The former refers to halachic requirements that are biblically mandated, while the latter refers to halachic requirements that are rabbinically mandated...
, translated as commandments of the Law (Torah). In contradistinction to this are rabbinical commandments, referred to as Mitzvot d'rabbanan
D'Oraita and D'Rabbanan
The Aramaic terms de-'oraita and de-rabbanan are used extensively in discussion and text relating to Jewish law. The former refers to halachic requirements that are biblically mandated, while the latter refers to halachic requirements that are rabbinically mandated...
. Mitzvot d'rabbanan are a type of takkanah
Takkanah
A takkanah is a major legislative enactment within halakha , the normative system of Judaism's laws.A takkanah is an enactment which revises an ordinance that no longer satisfies the requirements of the times or circumstances, or which , being deduced from a Biblical passage, may be regarded as new...
. Among the more important mitzvot d'rabbanan are:
- To recite a blessing for each enjoyment
- To ritually wash the hands before eating a meal with bread
- To prepare lights in advance of ShabbatShabbatShabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
(one of the reasons is to have peace in the home) - To construct an EruvEruvAn Eruv is a ritual enclosure around most Orthodox Jewish and Conservative Jewish homes or communities. In such communities, an Eruv is seen to enable the carrying of objects out of doors on the Jewish Sabbath that would otherwise be forbidden by Torah law...
to permit carrying to and within public areas on ShabbatShabbatShabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from... - To recite the HallelHallelHallel is a Jewish prayer—a verbatim recitation from Psalms 113–118, which is used for praise and thanksgiving that is recited by observant Jews on Jewish holidays.-Holy days:...
psalms on holy days - To light the HanukkahHanukkahHanukkah , also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE...
lightsChanukkiyahThe Hanukkah menorah is, strictly speaking, a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah, as opposed to the seven-branched menorah used in the ancient... - To read the Scroll of Esther on PurimPurimPurim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther .Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th...
These seven rabbinical commandments are treated like Biblical commandments insofar as, prior to the performance of each, a benediction
Berakhah
In Judaism, a berakhah, bracha, brokhe is a blessing, usually recited at a specific moment during a ceremony or other activity. The function of a berakhah is to acknowledge God as the source of all blessing...
is recited, i.e.:
- "Blessed are You, O our God, King of the universe, Who has commanded us ..."
The divine command is considered implied in the general law to follow any instructions of the religious authorities (Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, and of the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch...
17:11, and 32:7; Shab. 23a). In addition, many of the specific details of the Biblical mitzvot are only derived via rabbinical application of the Oral Torah
Oral Torah
The Oral Torah comprises the legal and interpretative traditions that, according to tradition, were transmitted orally from Mount Sinai, and were not written in the Torah...
(Mishna/Gemarah); for example, the reading of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-7), the binding of the tefillin
Tefillin
Tefillin also called phylacteries are a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, which are worn by observant Jews during weekday morning prayers. Although "tefillin" is technically the plural form , it is loosely used as a singular as...
and the fixing of the mezuzah
Mezuzah
A mezuzah is usually a metal or wooden rectangular object that is fastened to a doorpost of a Jewish house. Inside it is a piece of parchment inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah...
(Deuteronomy 6:8-9), and the saying of Grace After Meals
Birkat Hamazon
Birkat Hamazon or Birkath Hammazon, , known in English as the Grace After Meals, , is a set of Hebrew blessings that Jewish Law prescribes following a meal that includes bread or matzoh made from one or all of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt...
(Deuteronomy 8:10).
Six constant mitzvot
Out of the 613 Mitzvot mentioned in the Torah, there are six mitzvot which the Sefer Hachinuch calls "constant mitzvot": "We have six mitzvot which are perpetual and constant, applicable at all times, all the days of our lives".- To believe in GodNames of God in JudaismIn Judaism, the name of God is more than a distinguishing title; it represents the Jewish conception of the divine nature, and of the relationship of God to the Jewish people and to the world. To demonstrate the sacredness of the names of God, and as a means of showing respect and reverence for...
, and that he created all things. - Not to believe in anything else other than God.
- To believe in God's Oneness.
- To fear God.
- To love God.
- Not to pursue the passions of your heart and stray after your eyes.
Academic treatment
In modern Biblical scholarshipDocumentary hypothesis
The documentary hypothesis , holds that the Pentateuch was derived from originally independent, parallel and complete narratives, which were subsequently combined into the current form by a series of redactors...
, six different law codes are considered to compose the body of the Torah's text:
- The Ten CommandmentsTen CommandmentsThe Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue , are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and most forms of Christianity. They include instructions to worship only God and to keep the Sabbath, and prohibitions against idolatry,...
. - The Covenant CodeCovenant CodeThe Covenant Code, or alternatively Book of the Covenant, is the name given by academics to a text appearing in the Torah at Exodus - . Biblically, the text is the second of the law codes given to Moses by God at Mount Sinai...
follows, and provides more detailed laws. - The Ritual DecalogueRitual DecalogueThe Ritual Decalogue is a list of laws in the Book of Exodus, . These laws are similar to the Covenant Code and are followed by the phrase ten commandments...
, roughly summarising the Covenant Code, is presented after a brief narrative describing the design for the Ark of the CovenantArk of the CovenantThe Ark of the Covenant , also known as the Ark of the Testimony, is a chest described in Book of Exodus as solely containing the Tablets of Stone on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed...
and TabernacleTabernacleThe Tabernacle , according to the Hebrew Torah/Old Testament, was the portable dwelling place for the divine presence from the time of the Exodus from Egypt through the conquering of the land of Canaan. Built to specifications revealed by God to Moses at Mount Sinai, it accompanied the Israelites...
. - The Priestly CodePriestly CodeThe Priestly Code is the name given, by academia, to the body of laws expressed in the Torah which do not form part of the Holiness Code, the Covenant Code, the Ritual Decalogue, or the Ethical Decalogue. The Priestly Code constitutes the majority of Leviticus, as well as some of the laws...
, containing extensive laws concerning rituals and more general situations is given from above the mercy seat in the Tabernacle, once the Ark and Tabernacle have been completed. This code is extended further when events occur not quite covered by the law, causing Moses to ask Yahweh for greater clarification. - The Holiness CodeHoliness codeThe Holiness Code is a term used in biblical criticism to refer to Leviticus 17-26, and is so called due to its highly repeated use of the word Holy. It has no special traditional religious significance and traditional Jews and Christians do not regard it as having any distinction from any other...
is contained within the Priestly Code, close to the end, but is a distinct subsection placing particular emphasis on things which are holy, and which should be done to honour the holy. It also contains the warnings from Yahweh about what will occur if the laws are not followed, as well as promises for the event that the laws are followed. - The Deuteronomic CodeDeuteronomic CodeThe Deuteronomic Code is the name given by academics to the law code within the Book of Deuteronomy. It contains "a variety of topics including religious ceremonies and ritual purity, civil and criminal law, and the conduct of war"...
is remembered by Moses, in his last speeches before death, both covering the ground of prior codes, but also further laws not recorded earlier, which Moses has, by this point, "remembered".
In Biblical criticism, not accepted throughout the Jewish world, these codes are studied separately, particularly concerning the features unique, or first appearing, in each. Many of the mitzvot enumerated as being from one or other of these codes are also present in others, sometimes phrased in a different manner, or with additional clauses. Also, themes, such as idolatry, sexual behaviour, ritual cleanliness, and offerings of sacrifice, are shared among all six codes, and thus, in more religiously motivated theological
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
studies, it is often the case that the mitzvot are organised instead by theme, rather than the location in which they are found within the Bible.
The Mitzvot and Jewish law
In rabbinic thought, God's will is the source of, and authority for, every moral and religious duty. In this way, the Mitzvot thus constitute the Divinely instituted rules of conduct. In rabbinic thought, the commandments are usually divided into two major groups, positive commandments (obligations) – mitzvot aseh [ מצות עשה ] and negative commandments (prohibitions) – mitzvot lo ta'aseh [מצות לא תעשה]The system describing the practical application of the commandments is known as Halakha
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
, loosely Jewish Law. The Halakha is the development of the Mitzvot as contained in the written law, via discussion and debate in the Oral law
Oral Torah
The Oral Torah comprises the legal and interpretative traditions that, according to tradition, were transmitted orally from Mount Sinai, and were not written in the Torah...
, as recorded in the rabbinic literature
Rabbinic literature
Rabbinic literature, in its broadest sense, can mean the entire spectrum of rabbinic writings throughout Jewish history. However, the term often refers specifically to literature from the Talmudic era, as opposed to medieval and modern rabbinic writing, and thus corresponds with the Hebrew term...
of the classical era, especially the Mishnah
Mishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
and the Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
.
The Halakha dictates and influences a wide variety of behavior of traditionalist Jews
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
Many of these laws concern only special classes of people -- such as kings
Kingdom of Judah
The Kingdom of Judah was a Jewish state established in the Southern Levant during the Iron Age. It is often referred to as the "Southern Kingdom" to distinguish it from the northern Kingdom of Israel....
or Kohanim (the priesthood), Levite
Levite
In Jewish tradition, a Levite is a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi. When Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan, the Levites were the only Israelite tribe that received cities but were not allowed to be landowners "because the Lord the God of Israel himself is their inheritance"...
s, or Nazarites -- or are conditioned by local or temporary circumstances of the Jewish nation, as, for instance, the agricultural, sacrificial, and Levitical laws.
The majority view of classical rabbis was that the commandments will still be applicable and in force during the Messianic Era. However, a significant minority of rabbis held that most of the commandments will be nullified by, or in, the messianic era. Examples of such rabbinic views include:
- That the grain-offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to God as in the days of old, and as in ancient years. (Malachi 3:4)
- That today we should observe the commandments. (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Avodah Zarah 3a, 4b).
- That today we should observe the commandments, because we will not observe them in the world to come (Rashi).
- That in the future all sacrifices, with the exception of the Thanksgiving-sacrifice, will be discontinued. (Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 9:7)
- That all sacrifices will be annulled in the future. (Tanchuma Emor 19, Vayikra Rabbah 9:7)
- That God will permit what is now forbidden (Midrash Shochar Tov, Mizmor 146:5).
- That most mitzvot will no longer be in force. (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Niddah 61b and Tractate Shabbat 151b).
There is no authoritative answer accepted within Judaism as to which mitzvot, if any, would be annulled in the messianic era. This is a subject of academic debate and, not being viewed as an immediately practical question, is usually passed over in favor of answering questions of the practical halachah. It is important to note that in the Messianic era itself there are different stages. In addition there is a dispute between Maimonides and Nachmonides whether the ultimate Messianic state will be bodies with souls or souls alone. So that the various opinions as to the annulment of Biblical prohibitions need to be understood in this context.
See also
- Aveira(Transgression)
- TaoTaoDao or Tao is a Chinese word meaning 'way', 'path', 'route', or sometimes more loosely, 'doctrine' or 'principle'...
(Chinese) - DharmaDharmaDharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
(Hindu/Buddhist/Sikh) - Emil FackenheimEmil FackenheimEmil Ludwig Fackenheim, Ph.D. was a noted Jewish philosopher and Reform rabbi.Born in Halle, Germany, he was arrested by the Nazis on the night of November 9, 1938, known as Kristallnacht...
- FardFardalso is an Islamic term which denotes a religious duty. The word is also used in Persian, Turkish, and Urdu in the same meaning....
(Islamic) - Mitzvah goreret mitzvahMitzvah goreret mitzvahThe Hebrew phrase mitzvah goreret mitzvah, averah goreret averah "one good deed will bring another good deed, one transgression will bring another transgression," expresses the belief in Judaism that following one commandment leads to another...
- Halacha l'Moshe m'Sinai