What Mitzvot has God prepared for you today?

After standing in crowded lines it was now my turn at the concession stand. (Went to see the movie "The Sound of Freedom" which I highly recommend!). As I started to order this lady skipped past the line, walked up and interrupted and said they forgot to give her a drink she ordered. The guy said he was sorry but he missed that and did not charge her. She was going to have to get back in line. I thought "I can order and pay for her drink". Which I did. It moved the line along with no real delay and she was very happy. And so was I. It's amazing that God has made it so that we feel good when we do good. Biblical Hebrew thought feels that way about all of God's commands (mitzvot) 

Paul, a trained Rabbi, wrote the Ephesians that we are created to do mitzvot (good works) . The New Testament is Biblical Hebrew thought brought to us in the Greek language.

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works (mitzvot), which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10 

That's an amazing thought, that God prepared long ago, for me to be able to buy that woman her drink. And He has prepared many good works (mitzvot) for me to do in this life.

Mitzvot is the plural form of mitzvah, a Biblical Hebrew word that roughly translates to “commandment.” (מִצְוָה mitsvâh, mits-vaw'; from H6680; a command)  It appears in various forms with that meaning about 300 times in the Five Books of Moses. It generally refers to the Divine commandments, things He wants us to do or not do. It is also commonly interpreted  as “a good deed.” The term mitzvah comes from the root word tzavta, which means “connection.”  In this sense, a mitzvah bundles up the person who is commanded and the Commander, creating a relationship and essential bond. The three meanings can themselves be bundled together. “Good” is defined as that which the Creator of the Universe wants done with His universe, and by doing that which the Creator wants done, we are bound up with Him in body, mind and soul.What makes a mitzvah a mitzvah is its emphasis on action. 

The  Hebrew word mitzvah is commandment, but as noted, the general Hebrew understanding is that of a good deed. The emphasis is on deeds—not on positive thoughts or wishes, but on conscious acts of empathy and kindness. A mitzvah is a decisive act that embodies empathy and kindness while bringing us closer to others. Positive thoughts and wishes, while always welcome, are not mitzvot. Mitzvot are more than a creed—they’re about doing deeds. As James (Yakov/Jacob)  wrote "a true faith has actions" (James 2:17-26)

Biblical Hebrew thought, see's God's commands as bringing us life. As we do as He instructed us, we enjoy life and bring life. 

Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will find life through them. I am YAHWEH. Lev 18:5 . 

Jesus also reiterated that we find life through every word that comes out of the mouth of YAHWEH.  (Math 4:4)

God did not give us arbitrary “make-work” schemes. Mitzvot have a practical benefit for the person who does them as well as for the entire world.

Mitzvot are integral to serving God. The Torah, for example, references 613 mitzvot. Several of these could only be done in very ancient times under very specific circumstances, such as worshipping at the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. However, most mitzvot are relevant throughout the ages, and continue provide a compass for life—yes, even today.

The Bible says to  celebrate the holiday of Shavuot on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan,  During this holiday, we celebrate the moment that God, through Moses, gave the Israelites the gift of the Ten Commandments and the Torah—and in doing so, bringing YAHWEH's mitzvot into the world. Thousands of years later, many  people continue to practice mitzvot (good deeds), such as observing Shabbat, eating clean, and celebrating YAHWEH's feasts. And other very important mitzvot like being honest, treating others respectfully, honoring parents, visiting the sick, and caring for animals.

The enemy has twisted western thought into thinking that God's Law (Words/Instruction) brings bondage and is a burden. The enemy has taught western Christianity that getting rid of God's commands brings freedom. It's the same lie he told Adam and Eve - "Don't be in bondage to what God tells you. Get rid of that kind of thinking. Be free and eat of any tree, especially the forbidden one." Western Christianity has interpreted the Freedom Christ has given to mean we are free to ignore God's instructions for life. 

We have indeed been set free - from the curse of the Law, which is death and separation from God. We have been freed from sin so that we might use our freedom to do good. Peter and Paul say we were freed so that we could become servants/slaves to God. (Rom 6:15-18; 1 Pet 2:16) Paul tells us that God's commands are holy, just and good and he quotes directly from Lev 19 to illustrate that the purpose of the Law is to teach us how to love one another. (Rom 7:16 ; Gal 5:14)

All good things come from God (James 1:17). We must go to God to find out what is good. Our own judgment of what is good will fail us.  How do we know what good deeds God has prepared for us to do? We must meditate on His Torah and then we will know. As Jesus said, find life from every word that proceeds out of the mouth of YAHWEH. 

So, what good works (mitzvot) has God prepared for you this month? (Eph 2:10)

Shalom

May YAHWEH bless you and keep you!

Resources for Mitzvot with Children
One of YAHWEH's most important charges to us is to make sure we teach our children and grandchildren His mitzvot. Deut 6:1-2 I have been looking for material to help do that and of course there is not much in modern Christian publishing geared towards learning YAHWEH's words. So I have been looking at some resources from Jewish websites to help me know how to actively and meaningfully perform them with the children in our care. Every child is different, and so is every family. Therefore, this journey is unique to you—age, interests, culture, and personality all come into play. Nevertheless, children of all ages can (and should) participate even toddlers show kindness to others, read body language, and know when someone’s seeking affection. For them, even something simple like giving a hug, a flower, or saying kind words all count. ( I credit my daughter for helping me understand this) 

Older preschoolers and elementary-age kids can help create a list of important values for your family and find mitzvot they can do to reflect those values. Letting the children choose a task they enjoy can help make doing good feel more natural. If a child likes to draw or write, they can send a card to brighten a friend’s day. Children who love animals can walk a neighbor’s dog. Every action, no matter how small, helps make the world a better place.

Below are some of the books I found. I have not had the chance to use them myself, but will give feedback as I do. Would love to hear from you in the comment section about how you are doing this with your children and any resources you find useful.

• Giving food or clothing to those in need: Respecting those in need, in Bagels from Benny
• Passing along cherished toys or games: Do not covet, in One Good Deed
• Recycling or composting: Do not destroy needlessly, in Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
• Cleaning up a public park: Care for our planet, in It’s a Mitzvah, Grover!
• Reuniting a lost game: Returning lost objects, in Sara Finds a Mitzva
• Sharing toys or food with a friend or sibling: Peace in the home, in The Mitzvah Magician, and Esti the Mensch
• Making soup for a neighbor with a cold: Visiting the sick, in The Bagel King. Caring for the sick, in Bear Feels Sick
• Inviting a new classmate over for a playdate: Welcoming guests, in The Mitten String
• Walking a dog or feeding a cat: Being kind to animals, in The Cats on Ben Yehuda Street

When one person does a good deed, others can see and be inspired to do the same. Creating these ripple effects of kindness can build and sustain communities over time, and showing children how we can all make Jesus' world a little better is profoundly empowering—for them and for you!