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Mitzvot and the relationship between humans and the Almighty

Some Jews have been criticised by other religious people for following too many rules. Many of the 613 commandments do not have detailed explanations and therefore some people may struggle to see their purpose. However, some Jews suggest that they should follow the mitzvot simply because God told them to.

Many Jews obey the mitzvot because:

• the laws are seen as a gift from God
• keeping the mitzvot improves their relationship with God
• obeying the commandments shows gratitude to God for all that he has done

Mitzvot and different Jewish beliefs

The mitzvot also include guidance for Jews on how to treat other humans. Jews often use the word ‘mitzvah’, the singular form of ‘mitzvot’, as an informal way to say ‘good deeds’. These good deeds can improve relationships between humans. Examples include:

• visiting sick people
• feeding the hungry
• helping the poor
• comforting people in distress

Orthodox and Reform Jewish views on the mitzvot

As is the case for many beliefs in Judaism, there are some differences in the way that Orthodox Jews and Reform Jews interpret and follow the mitzvot.

Orthodox Jews

Orthodox Jews follow each and every mitzvah very closely as they believe the mitzvot are God’s direct words to Moses. For Orthodox Jews, the mitzvot give them right and wrong ways to live and cover all areas of life, including how to dress, what to eat and how to worship God.

Reform Jews

For Reform Jews, observing the mitzvot is a matter of personal choice. They believe that the mitzvot were divinely inspired rather than the actual words of God. This means that Reform Jews believe that some commandments were influenced by the culture at the time the mitzvot were written down, and this needs to be considered today. For example, some of the mitzvot refer to ‘a master and his maidservant’. These laws would be meaningless to most Reform Jews today.