Are the Ten Commandments considered mitzvot?
Are the Ten Commandments considered mitzvot? Dear Rabbi, Are the 10 commandments considered catagories of mitzvot or actually mitzvot? What is the source of the mitzvah to honor one’s father and mother? Thank you, Thomas Answer: Dear Thomas, A “mitzva”, frequently translated as “good deed”, actually means “Torah Commandment”. The Torah contains 613 of these mitzvot which in effect are directives on how a Jew is to live his/her life. Ten of these 613 directives were given as part of the “Ten Commandments”, a one time Revelation to the entire Jewish people. Contrary to popular misconception, the Ten Commandments are for most intents and purposes, no different than the other 603 mitzvot of the Torah. Yes, honoring one’s father and mother is a mitzva, not killing another person is a mitzva, eating matza on Passover is a mitzva, etc. etc.
