Living Out Mitzvah (Commandment): Loving God with All

The Meaning of Mitzvah (Commandment)

The Hebrew term *mitzvah* (מִצְוָה) denotes a divine commandment, rooted in the verb *tzavot* (צָוַת), meaning 'to command' or 'to give instructions.'

In Deuteronomy, *mitzvah* often refers to God’s specific instructions for Israel’s covenant life. For example, Deuteronomy 6:2 urges obedience to God’s commandments 'that you may live and multiply,' linking divine guidance to communal flourishing. Similarly, Deuteronomy 4:1 frames *mitzvot* (commandments) as a path to wisdom and life, emphasizing their role in shaping Israel’s identity and relationship with God.

Mitzvah in Deuteronomy 6:5

Deuteronomy 6:5 frames *mitzvah* as an expression of total devotion to God, intertwining divine command with heartfelt love.

The verse states, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might,' immediately followed by the instruction to 'impress them [His commandments] upon your children' (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). This linkage positions *mitzvah* not as mere legalism but as an act of love that shapes familial and communal identity. By obeying God’s commands, Israel demonstrates covenantal loyalty, reflecting the reciprocity of love in a relational covenant.

This portrayal of *mitzvah* underscores its role in sustaining Israel’s distinct identity as God’s chosen people, rooted in a love that transcends ritual and becomes a way of life.

Mitzvah Across Biblical History

The evolution of *mitzvah* from Exodus to the New Testament reveals its theological depth and adaptability across covenantal contexts.

In Exodus 20, the Ten Commandments crystallize *mitzvah* as foundational law, while Exodus 19:5-6 frames obedience as a response to God’s election of Israel as a 'kingdom of priests.' By the New Testament, Jesus affirms the enduring relevance of *mitzvah* in Matthew 22:37-40, where He synthesizes the Law into loving God and neighbor, echoing Deuteronomy 6:5 yet emphasizing its spiritual essence. Rabbinic tradition later codified 613 *mitzvot* in the Talmud, systematizing them as a covenantal framework that balances legal precision with ethical living.

Jewish tradition regards *mitzvot* as both divine obligations and acts of devotion, structuring daily life through ritual, justice, and communal responsibility. This duality reflects the covenant’s demand for holistic fidelity to God’s will.

The New Testament reinterprets *mitzvah* through Christ’s fulfillment, as seen in Philippians 2:12-13, which calls believers to 'work out your salvation' with diligence. This theological shift preserves the core of covenantal obedience while redirecting it toward Christian discipleship, ensuring *mitzvah* remains a living concept across biblical and post-biblical traditions.

Putting 'Mitzvah (Commandment)' into Practice

Modern believers can engage with mitzvah by viewing divine commandments as both a framework for spiritual discipline and a reflection of God’s loving guidance.

Deuteronomy 6:2 emphasizes obedience as essential for communal flourishing, urging believers to follow God’s commandments 'that you may live and multiply.' Similarly, Deuteronomy 6:6-7 frames mitzvot as a relational act, requiring believers to teach God’s word to future generations 'when you sit at home and when you walk along the road.' In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul reorients this concept, calling Christians to 'work out your salvation with fear and trembling,' trusting that God enables obedience. This synthesis suggests that mitzvah today involves intentional spiritual practices—such as prayer, Scripture study, and acts of justice—that balance covenantal responsibility with a heart of devotion, transforming obligation into a pathway for spiritual growth.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of *mitzvah*, consider how divine commands shape both individual faith and communal identity.

Reflect on Deuteronomy 6:2 and Philippians 2:12-13 by journaling about moments obedience to God’s guidance transformed your life or community. For further study, explore how Jewish tradition’s 613 *mitzvot* and Christ’s call to love neighbor (Matthew 22:39) both express covenantal devotion.