“And I said unto him: I know that God loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.” —1 Nephi 3:57 [11:17]
You may have heard the word mitzvah used to mean a “good deed.” But in its deeper sense, a mitzvah is a commandment,a sacred act, a covenantal invitation to participate in the life of God. In Kabbalah, mitzvoth (plural of mitzvah) are the divine instructions given by God, primarily found in the Torah. In Judaism, the term mitzvah means “commandment,” and the mitzvoth refers to the 613 commandments that the Torah outlines for Jewish practice, ranging from moral and ethical actions to ritual observances. In Mormon Kabbalah, we understand our mitzvoth to be all the Holy Spirit moves us to do in God’s name (Jacob 3:8 [4:7]). Mitzvoth are not just external actions but are deeply spiritual acts with cosmic significance. They are seen as channels through which a person can draw divine light (Or) into the world and elevate both themselves and the world around them.
Spiritual Elevation
According to Kabbalistic teachings, mitzvoth have far-reaching effects on the divine realms. When one performs a mitzvah, it is believed that it not 
only affects the physical world but also has an impact on the higher spiritual realms and the Sefirot (the ten divine emanations in Kabbalah). Each mitzvah corresponds to a specific Sefirot, helping to balance and harmonize the divine flow of energy. Jewish Kabbalists view mitzvoth as vessels through which divine light is channeled. When performed with proper intention (kavanah), mitzvoth have the power to illuminate the world, drawing down blessings from the higher spiritual realms. This light helps to balance the forces of creation and leads to the ultimate redemption, or the coming of the Messiah.
In Mormon Kabbalah, a mitzvah is not just about rule-following. It’s about responding to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Every time you feel called, nudged, or stirred to act in God’s name that’s a mitzvah.
And it came to pass that the Spirit said unto me: Look! And I looked…” —1 Nephi 3:46 [11:8]
Nephi doesn’t receive a checklist, he receives a prompting. He looks. He follows. That is a mitzvah. Mitzvoth are not rigid, they are relational.
They’re not limited to ancient law—they’re guided by living light.
Purification of the Soul
Performing the mitzvoth with the proper intention purifies the soul and helps elevate it toward the Divine. Kabbalistic teachings often focus on the idea that the soul is like a vessel, and by following the commandments, it is cleansed and filled with divine light. Each mitzvah is a step toward achieving spiritual perfection and closeness to God. In Kabbalah, it’s not just the external act of performing a mitzvah that matters but also the intention (kavanah) behind it. When one performs a commandment with the proper intention, it is said to be far more effective in drawing down divine light and achieving spiritual benefits. The deeper, mystical understanding of a mitzvah can be explored through prayer, meditation, and study, enabling the practitioner to connect more fully with the divine energy behind each commandment.
The Soul’s Journey
In Kabbalistic thought, mitzvot are seen as acts of spiritual repair, or Tikkun. The world is viewed as being in a state of imperfection, and the fulfillment of commandments serves to fix, repair, and elevate the world toward its original divine purpose. Each mitzvah contributes to the restoration of the spiritual harmony between the world and the divine. Kabbalists also speak of how the performance of mitzvoth aids the soul in its journey through the physical world and its return to the divine source. Each commandment helps the soul to ascend in levels of spirituality and achieve the ultimate union with God.
In Kabbalah, mitzvoth are not simply religious duties but profound spiritual practices that engage with the very fabric of the universe. They are the tools through which one can draw down divine light, purify the soul, and help heal the world. Performing mitzvoth with the proper intention (kavanah) elevates the act from a mere commandment into a cosmic, spiritual act of connection with the Divine.
Mitzvah Is…
If you’re wondering how to recognize a mitzvah, here’s a simple principle: If the Holy Spirit moves you to do something loving, just, merciful, or healing in God’s name, it is a mitzvah.
Some examples might include:
- Comforting someone who is grieving
- Speaking a word of truth when it would be easier to stay silent
- Creating beauty that lifts the soul
- Choosing integrity when no one’s watching
- Feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, caring for the earth
- Listening when the Spirit says, “Look,” or “Go,” or “Speak,” even when it surprises you
A mitzvah might look small from the outside but it holds cosmic weight.
A Living Covenant
Mitzvoth aren’t just about law, they’re about love. The Torah is love, God’s love, written on sapphire tablets. In that Torah we find not just words, but the Holy Spirit, a living conversations between God and the soul. The true Torah, and our mitzvoth, are written not on stone tablets, but on the heart. So the next time you feel the Spirit whisper, listen. And then act. That’s your mitzvah, that’s your moment, that’s your light in the world and it allows God to move through you to light the world and heal this creation. All the Holy Spirit moves you to do in God’s name, this is your covenant. It is your calling, it is your offering.
