Hebraic Musing - What are the 613 Mitzvot… (Hebraic Insight #16, April 2009, Updated)
…that our loving Father G-d gave us in the Torah? Mitzvot (Commandments
from the Torah) are at the heart of Chalachah (way of walking). These are the unchangeable 613 Mitzvot that our
loving G-d gave to us in the Torah. The
word "mitzvah" (plural: Mitzvot) means "commandment."
In its strictest sense, Mitzvot refers
only to commandments instituted in the Torah; however, the word is commonly
used in a more generic sense to include all of the laws, practices and customs
of Chalachah, and is often used in an even more loose way to refer to any good
deed. Because of this looser usage, sophisticated chalachic discussions need to
be careful to make a distinction between Mitzvot "from the Torah" and
Mitzvot "from the rabbis".
Some of the Mitzvot "from
the Torah" are clear, for example – the 10 commandments and “you shall
write words of Torah on the doorposts of your house”. Others are more implicit, like reciting grace
after meals. And some can only be
ascertained by deductive reasoning, like that a man shall not commit incest. Some Mitzvot overlap, like, it is a positive
commandment to rest on Shabbat and a negative commandment not to do work on
Shabbat.
BTW, if 613 commandments in the
Torah seems like a lot; there are 1050 commandments in the NT. So much for OT being about ‘law’ and NT being
about ‘grace’! G-d does not change &
has not changed!
Please note that we are not dealing with a salvation issue, but
rather ‘how our Father G-d would like us to live, for our own benefit. When G-d and/or our parents give us a
command or ask us to do something, it is for our own good (Period). He still wants us to listen and enjoy His
Living Torah. Listen to His
advice and recognize that there are consequences to ignoring His advice. “All these curses shall come upon you ...
Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of
heart, because of the abundance of all things....” Deut. 28:45&47
ESV
Which Mitzvot/Commandments apply today? Directly?
Practically? Symbolically?
Note - There are certain types of Mitzvot that cannot be fulfilled today:
1. Involving the Temple – which was demolished in 70AD
2. Requiring Animal Sacrifices – which is outlawed and
requires a temple and/or priesthood
3. Involving the roles of Levitical Priests and the
Priesthood – lineage records were destroyed in the temple
4.
The 66 “Cut-off” laws – which Yeshua came to fulfill with atonement
Let’s
relate the 613 Mitzvot to the perspectives above. If we study a listing or categorization of the
613 Mitzvot we can gain an understanding of which ones were fulfilled by Jesus
and/or any circumstances such that they can no longer be obeyed. And which ones are worthy of our paying more
attention! That categorized list is in the
Addendum.
Here
is just a sample of relevant scripture references:
- “If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then
I will give you...” Lev.26:3
- “And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments,
as
your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” 1 Kings3:14
- “And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.”
Jer.7:23b
- “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my
love,
just
as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” John
15:10
Points to Ponder
How did we learn to obey when “Daddy said
so”?
Do we want to know what our Lord wants us
to do for our own good?
Where can we find these 613 Mitzvot? A – In the Torah in your Bible. (or see
Note)
Just do what Daddy says.
Yosef a.k.a. Joe Brusherd
September
19, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages
exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”
Weekly “Hebraic Musings”
Note – A complete categorized
& referenced list of the 613 Mitzvot is also available on request;
or – https://www.jewfaq.org/613_commandments
Addendum - Categories
of the 613 Mitzvot
Here is a categorization to help
us better understand the nature of the 613 Mitzvot.
(My thoughts re ‘applicability’ are added in black):
Types of APPLICATIONS for the laws
a.
b.
Moral Universal Applicable today - universal
c.
Universal but revised in NT Applicable today – universal as revised
d.
Ancient Let’s seek any applicability or lessons to learn
e.
Unclear Let’s seek any applicability or lessons to learn
f.
Combination Let’s seek any applicability or lessons to learn
g.
No Application
Mandatory Commandments – concerning:
h.
G-d Dt.6:4 example Applicable
today - universal
i.
Torah Applicable today, except re
j.
Temple & Priests Cannot apply
k.
Sacrifices Cannot apply (Except re ‘forgiveness to fellow
man’ - Guilt or
Trespass
offerings “Asham” intentional [requiring Restitution +
20% to offended party – NOT A BLOOD
Sacrifice—Raises
question
as to whether Christ’s blood atones for all our sins!?!?
Interesting
issue re role of ‘forgiveness’ so He can forgive us)
l.
Ritual Purity Applicable in principle – Keep clean/HOLY!
m.
Donations to the
n.
The Sabbatical Year Should we be keeping G-d’s calendar or
(the
church has been duped into some ‘detestable’ practices)
o.
Animals for consumption Applicable as a health advisory – McMillen’s “None
of these Diseases”
p.
Festivals Applicable - represents His teaching times and prescribed
times of
special
symbolic fellowship. (Church duped into detestable’ practices?)
q.
Community Applicable today - universal
r.
Idolatry Applicable in principle – Keep clean/HOLY!
s.
War Applicable today - universal
t.
Social Applicable today - universal
u.
Family Applicable today - universal
v.
Judicial - flogging, etc. Applicable in
principle
w.
Slaves Applicable in principle
x.
Torts Applicable in principle
Prohibitions – regarding:
y.
Idolatry & related practices Applicable in principle – Keep clean/HOLY!
z.
Resulting of Historical Events Applicable
in principle (we all have ‘history’)- i.e.,
returning to Egypt
aa.
Blasphemy Applicable today – universal (Generally re use of G-d’s
holy name
bb.
Temple - H2 enter, making oil Cannot
apply (But are there principles to
consider)
cc.
Sacrifices Cannot apply (Except re ‘forgiveness to fellow
man’ SEE ABOVE)
dd.
Priests Cannot apply (But are there principles to
consider, especially
since
Peter called us a Holy Priesthood)
ee.
Dietary Applicable health advisory – “None of these
Diseases” by McMillen
ff.
Nazirites Applicable in principle
gg.
Agriculture Applicable today – universal – a sabbatical rest
for fields (Farmers
today
learned benefits of crop rotation the hard way!)
hh.
Loans, business, treatment of slaves Applicable today - universal
ii.
Justice Applicable today - universal
jj.
Incest & forbidden relationships
Applicable today - universal
kk.
The monarchy – Kings Applicable in principle (Do governmental leaders
today
understood
the source of their authority?)
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