Debunking Viral Claim About the Talmud and Minors
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The 613 commandments are far beyond a list of do’s and don’ts. Discover how they shape Jewish life, connect us with God, and bring spiritual balance through meaningful action, wisdom, and purpose.
When God gave the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai, He provided not just a set of beliefs, but a guide for living. This guide—filled with Divine wisdom—is made up of the mitzvot, the commandments or practices that form the framework of Jewish life.
The purpose of the mitzvot is threefold: to connect us with God1, to shape how we treat other people2, and to help us live a spiritually balanced life3. By following the commandments, a person learns to navigate the physical world in a meaningful way, developing a healthy relationship with both the material and the spiritual4. The mitzvot aren’t just rules—they are tools for building a life of harmony, growth, and purpose.
The Talmud teaches that there are 613 mitzvot5. Of these, 248 are positive commandments—things a Jew is supposed to do. The remaining 365 are negative commandments—things a Jew should avoid doing.
The 248 positive mitzvot are said to correspond to the number of limbs and organs in the human body. This teaches that every part of us can be elevated through the Torah. Each mitzvah strengthens a different aspect of our spiritual self6.
The 365 negative mitzvot match the number of days in the solar year. Just as the cycle of the sun is a constant, unchanging reality of nature, violating a commandment leads to natural spiritual consequences7. A sin, according to the Torah, isn’t just something arbitrarily labelled “bad”—it’s something that intrinsically harmful. Torah restrictions aren’t random; they’re protective, like guardrails on a winding road.
While listing all 613 commandments is beyond the scope of this article, understanding their main categories helps clarify the richness and purpose of Jewish observance.
The Torah states: “In the future, your child may ask you, What are the Eidot, Chukkim, and Mishpatim that God has commanded you?” 8
This verse lists three categories of mitzvot:
These are rituals that remind us of the core beliefs of Judaism. They help make spiritual ideas real by anchoring them in regular actions. It's not enough to simply know something is true; repeating and acting on that truth makes it part of who we are9.
Examples include Shabbat, Jewish holidays, Tefillin, Tallit, and Mezuzah10.
These are practices and restrictions that show our trust in God’s wisdom, even if we don’t fully understand them. They teach that every part of creation—including our own bodies—was designed by God for a purpose and must be treated accordingly. These laws refine our behavior and align us with higher spiritual ideals.
Examples include keeping kosher, respecting the body after death, avoiding waste, honoring all creatures, controlling our impulses, and speaking with care11.
These are the ethical and civil laws that govern how we interact with others. No matter how religious someone appears, it means little if they don’t treat others with basic decency. Honesty, respect, and kindness are fundamental12.
Examples include treating others fairly, not exploiting weakness, safeguarding property, and upholding financial integrity13.
At first, 613 commandments may sound like an overwhelming number. But the verse in Proverbs reassures us: “Its ways are ways of pleasantness, and all its pathways are peace.” 14
This teaches that mitzvot aren’t burdens—they are pathways to a life of health, harmony, and happiness. God didn’t give the Torah to limit our joy, but to help us experience deeper and lasting fulfillment. 15
The Talmud16 quotes a wise woman named Yalta who said: “Everything which the Torah forbade has a comparable pleasure that is permitted.”
This means the Torah doesn’t aim to deny us pleasure. Instead, it directs us toward pleasures that uplift us, rather than harm us. Mitzvot help us enjoy life in a way that also nurtures the soul. 17
It’s also important to realize that no one person is expected to observe all 613 mitzvot. Some are only for people living in Israel. Others are for specific roles or situations (like circumcision or priestly duties). Yet, by supporting and enabling others to fulfill their mitzvot, every Jew contributes to the collective mission. The Jewish people function like one body—every individual and community effort matters. 18
Having so many commandments also means there are many different ways to shine. One person may feel most inspired by giving charity, another by prayer, and someone else by honoring Shabbat. While we should strive for broad observance, even partial observance still forges a connection to God.
That said, it’s not ideal to pick and choose mitzvot based only on what feels good or convenient. Doing so suggests that we know better than the Torah, which isn’t the case. Every mitzvah, even those we struggle with, holds Divine purpose and potential. Nobody is perfect, but every sincere effort counts. We should aim to do our best, knowing that our efforts are significant. 19
Even if someone isn’t ready to observe everything, attitude matters. It’s okay to struggle with a mitzvah or to have questions. What’s dangerous is dismissing a mitzvah out of frustration or lack of understanding. Saying “this part of Judaism doesn’t matter” often stems from limited exposure or misinformation—not from truth. 20
Another pitfall is thinking we can "improve" on the Torah’s system. No one—no matter how smart or spiritual—knows better than God.
A powerful example comes from King Solomon, known as the wisest man who ever lived21. The Torah22 warns kings not to collect too much wealth or marry many wives, lest they be led astray. Solomon thought he could handle it—he wanted wealth to strengthen his kingdom and wives to secure political alliances. 23
But the Torah was right. These choices eventually had negative spiritual consequences. In his humility, Solomon later admitted: “I thought I was wise(er than the Torah), but it (the truth) was distant from me.” 24
Even he learned that Divine wisdom must guide us, not our own reasoning alone. 25
Mitzvot—often translated as "commandments"—are far more than a list of dos and don’ts. They’re tools given to us by God to help us grow into our best selves. Taking on even one mitzvah can set us on a powerful journey of personal transformation.
This deeper purpose becomes clear when we explore the meaning behind the word mitzvah. While it's commonly translated as “commandment,” this translation doesn't fully reflect the richness and potential of what mitzvah observance can achieve.
The Hebrew root tzavsah, closely related to mitzvah, means “to accompany.” In Psalms26, it says, "For He will command His angels to accompany you" (ki malachav yetzaveh lach)—a vision of divine partnership and protection. In a similar way, when we engage in mitzvot, we walk alongside God, joining in His mission to make the world more whole. The Torah becomes more than just scripture—it’s a spiritual roadmap, inviting us to journey together with the Divine. 27
Another related word, tzevah, refers to a group united around a purpose—like an army gathered under a commander. It highlights the collective power of mitzvah observance. When people commit to this path, they become part of something larger than themselves: a community moving in sync, guided by shared values. 28 This connection is especially visible in social mitzvot—the ones focused on justice and interpersonal ethics (Mishpatim). A community living by these principles becomes a place of harmony, respect, and unity.
A third connection comes from tzeves, a word that means "crucible"—a vessel used to refine and shape materials under intense heat. The Zohar29 teaches: "One who peers into the Torah and fulfills it is as if they are sustaining the world itself." Just as God used the Torah as a blueprint for creation, when we live by it, we help sustain and uplift that very creation. Fulfilling a mitzvah is like working in a spiritual crucible30: it shapes us, our communities, and the world around us. We take what God began and continue building a world infused with ethics, purpose and meaning.
Each mitzvah we take on is a chance to align ourselves with something higher—to walk with God, connect with others, and refine the world and ourselves. Even one step in this direction carries the potential to transform our lives.
I was wondering why God has so many commands about sacrificing animals? Why does a god who has no body need so many steaks or is it the co'hanim and le'vi'eem in the Temple that like meat? anyway, isn't sacrificing an animal for good luck or to "atone" for a human's sins a pagan idea. one practiced by people all over the Middle East at the time?