www.alphadictionary.com

A seemingly common enough word, but I came across it used by itself recently, without the usual bar or bat before it.

It turns out that a mitzvah is a good deed. Something praiseworthy. I never knew of this usage before two days ago, so I thought I'd share it, in case others thought it was just a part of a religious ceremony.

So, now you can all go out and do your mitzvah for the day. Help the elderly across the street, carry some groceries, help change a flat tire, etc.

Leading to a "Mitzvah Merit Badge" for Boy Scouts, perhaps...?

Regardless, every Yiddish word I hear conjures the spirit of Mel Brooks. Intending no disrespect, you might appreciate Brooks' version of the origin of the Ten Commandments on You Tube: http://thebarmitzvahblog.wordpress.com/ ... 2%A0moses/

Mitzvah may well be Hebrew as opposed to Yiddish. We Goyim do our best.