According to religious tradition, there are 613 commandments. [1] In its secondary meaning, the word mitzvah refers to a deed performed in order to fulfill such a commandment. As such, the term mitzvah has also come to express an individual act of human kindness in keeping with the law.
What does mitzvah mean? In common usage, a mitzvah often means “a good deed”—as in “Do a mitzvah and help Mrs. Goldstein with her packages.” This usage is quite old—the Jerusalem Talmud commonly refers to any charitable act as “ the mitzvah.” Often the word mitzvah is related to the Aramaic word tzavta, 2 meaning to attach or join.
What Is a Mitzvah? - The State of Being Connected - Chabad.org
One often hears someone Jewish saying, “It’s a mitzvah!” usually referring to a charitable, beneficial act performed by another person. However, the Hebrew word mitzvah does not mean “a good deed” in that sense. Mitzvah literally means “commandment.”
In Judaism, a mitzvah (plural: mitzvot) is a commandment, obligation, or associated deed that serves as a means of fulfilling one’s religious duties and connecting with God.
In common usage, mitzvah has taken on the meaning of a good deed. Already in the Talmud, this word was used for a meritorious act as distinct from a positive commandment.
mitzvah, any commandment, ordinance, law, or statute contained in the Torah (first five books of the Bible) and, for that reason, to be observed by all practicing Jews.
A mitzvah is a commandment, although not a command in the sense of an order (like in the army), but rather an instruction that the Torah provides that will help you to have a relationship with God.