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In 1974, a horrific terrorist attack shook Israel. Palestinian terrorists cold-bloodedly massacred 25 young students in the city of Ma’alot in northern Israel. The following Shabbat, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, deeply moved, spoke before thousands of his followers, emphasizing that we can combat hatred by increasing mitzvot and good deeds. He highlighted the mitzvah of the Mezuzah, a small parchment scroll affixed to doorposts as a spiritual „guardian” of our homes. This practice reminds us that the purpose of our lives, our moral foundations, and our sense of security come from faith and trust in the Creator. In the days that followed, the Rebbe repeatedly spoke about the importance of this and stressed that when dark hatred arises in the world, it is our duty to illuminate the world by spreading the good deeds of the Torah, the Bible.

The Rebbe, in connection with this, enthusiastically supported the initiative of young rabbinical students who, in an unconventional manner, traveled the streets in a Mitzvah Tank – a Mitzvah Mobile – to bring Jewish religious and cultural values to people who would not have otherwise gone to the synagogue. The name „Mitzvah (good deed) Tank” – as a counterpoint to the combat tank, which embodies violence – symbolizes the idea that with the weapon of good deeds, we can make the world more beautiful and better. On October 7, 2023, one of the most brutal terrorist attacks of the 21st century shook Israel and the civilized world. Hamas terrorists massacred more than 1,400 civilians and took over 200 hostages, sparking one of the bloodiest wars in the Middle East. Today, just as nearly 50 years ago, the best response to ideologies that glorify death and violence is a campaign spreading the light of good deeds and care for one’s fellow human beings. In this spirit, on September 30, 2024, the first Hungarian „Mitzvah Mobile” was inaugurated.

Rabbis
Rabbis

The term *Mitzvah* literally means commandment, and it refers to the 613 commandments that define all aspects of life according to the Hebrew Bible, the Torah. At the same time, *Mitzvah* also signifies a connection, expressing that in Jewish philosophy, our relationship with God is always established through an action or deed. Mitzvot can be ritual practices, such as the donning of *tefillin* (phylacteries) and reciting a prayer, or lighting candles on Friday evening, but they can also encompass helping others or showing respect to one’s parents.

Noah's Seven Laws

Judaism for Non-Jews

Judaism is not a proselytizing religion. While it offers the opportunity for conversion, its goal is not to seek converts. Judaism does not claim that only the Jewish faith leads to salvation. However, the mission of Judaism and the Torah is to draw humanity’s attention to fundamental moral values that make the world a better and more beautiful place. These are referred to in Jewish tradition as the Seven Laws of Noah:

Monotheism

Monotheism

Prohibition of Blasphemy

Prohibition of Blasphemy

Prohibition of Murder

Prohibition of Murder

Prohibition of Theft

Prohibition of Theft

Prohibition of Adultery

Prohibition of Adultery

Prohibition of Animal Cruelty

Prohibition of Animal Cruelty

Ensuring Rule of Law

Ensuring Rule of Law

Monotheism

Monotheism

Prohibition of Blasphemy

Prohibition of Blasphemy

Prohibition of Murder

Prohibition of Murder

Prohibition of Theft

Prohibition of Theft

Prohibition of Adultery

Prohibition of Adultery

Prohibition of Animal Cruelty

Prohibition of Animal Cruelty

Ensuring Rule of Law

Ensuring Rule of Law

The 10 Mitzvot

action

A Mitzvah, a good deed, is an expression of the relationship between a person and God, and therefore holds significance not only for those who lead a committed, religious life. It is a cosmic act of significance, inherently of infinite value. Citing Maimonides, the famous medieval Jewish philosopher, the Rebbe repeatedly emphasized: Every person should view every moment of their life as if the „scale of the world”—with one side weighing good deeds and the other sins—were perfectly balanced, and their next action could tip it either towards good or, God forbid, towards bad. Therefore, he issued a call to everyone: Do not label yourself as ‘religious’ or ‘believer’! Start with a single good deed, as our actions are valuable in themselves. Over the years, the Rebbe recommended 10 key mitzvot, good deeds, which anyone—according to their upbringing, life situation, or opportunities—can begin to practice:

 

TEFILLIN
MEZUZAH
TORAH
TZEDAKAH
BOOKS
KASHRUT
LOVE
EDUCATION
SABBATH
PURITY
"Bind them as a sign on your hand, and let them be as frontlets between your eyes" (Deuteronomy 6:8). Tefillin, the phylacteries, are a Jewish tradition thousands of years old. Jewish men over the age of 13 bind the black leather boxes containing small biblical texts to their arm and head to recite a prayer. Wrapping the tefillin symbolizes binding our arm, heart, and mind to the Creator, God.
"Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates," says the Bible (Deuteronomy 6:9). From this comes the ancient Jewish custom of affixing a small box containing a parchment scroll to the doors of our homes, symbolizing monotheism and our trust in God. The mezuzah serves as an eternal reminder of God's presence in our lives.
Lifelong learning is an ancient Jewish tradition. For 3,000 years, Judaism has required that we dedicate our free moments to studying the Torah. The Torah provides deep guidance and teachings that encompass every aspect of life. Let us set aside a little time each day for study!
According to the teachings of Jewish sages, tzedakah, or charity, is such an important mitzvah that if we were to weigh all other mitzvot on one side of a scale and place tzedakah on the other, the scale would tip in favor of the latter.
It is important to consider what we surround ourselves with. A person is known by their home. For the “people of the book,” the most natural furniture and decoration is the book. Let us fill our homes with holy books, as this increases the likelihood that we will take them down from the shelves and look through them.
"You are what you eat," goes the old saying. The rules of kosher eating bring harmony to our lives through the balance of a healthy soul and a healthy body.
“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) – According to Rabbi Akiva, the famous Jewish sage, this verse is the most important teaching of the Torah. When we approach our fellow human beings with patience, love, and care, we not only bring humanity closer to peace but also express our love for God.
"Teach your children" (Deuteronomy 6:6) – The Torah teaches us that education is the most important investment, the greatest gift we can give to the next generation. For the Jewish community, Jewish education holds particular significance, as it ensures that our descendants will joyfully carry on the traditions that strengthen the chain of generations.
On Friday evenings, the arrival of Shabbat is marked by women and girls lighting the Shabbat candles. These candles symbolize the peace of the home and the tranquility of the family.
The foundation of a harmonious family home is the relationship between husband and wife, which, when based on mutual respect and love, brings purity into our home. This is also important for our children, as it provides them with a sense of security and self-confidence. Adhering to the laws of marriage in Judaism allows us to live in lasting happiness and to build a beautiful family.
TEFILLIN "Bind them as a sign on your hand, and let them be as frontlets between your eyes" (Deuteronomy 6:8). Tefillin, the phylacteries, are a Jewish tradition thousands of years old. Jewish men over the age of 13 bind the black leather boxes containing small biblical texts to their arm and head to recite a prayer. Wrapping the tefillin symbolizes binding our arm, heart, and mind to the Creator, God.
MEZUZAH "Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates," says the Bible (Deuteronomy 6:9). From this comes the ancient Jewish custom of affixing a small box containing a parchment scroll to the doors of our homes, symbolizing monotheism and our trust in God. The mezuzah serves as an eternal reminder of God's presence in our lives.
TORAH Lifelong learning is an ancient Jewish tradition. For 3,000 years, Judaism has required that we dedicate our free moments to studying the Torah. The Torah provides deep guidance and teachings that encompass every aspect of life. Let us set aside a little time each day for study!
TZEDAKAH According to the teachings of Jewish sages, tzedakah, or charity, is such an important mitzvah that if we were to weigh all other mitzvot on one side of a scale and place tzedakah on the other, the scale would tip in favor of the latter.
BOOKS It is important to consider what we surround ourselves with. A person is known by their home. For the “people of the book,” the most natural furniture and decoration is the book. Let us fill our homes with holy books, as this increases the likelihood that we will take them down from the shelves and look through them.
KASHRUT "You are what you eat," goes the old saying. The rules of kosher eating bring harmony to our lives through the balance of a healthy soul and a healthy body.
LOVE “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) – According to Rabbi Akiva, the famous Jewish sage, this verse is the most important teaching of the Torah. When we approach our fellow human beings with patience, love, and care, we not only bring humanity closer to peace but also express our love for God.
EDUCATION "Teach your children" (Deuteronomy 6:6) – The Torah teaches us that education is the most important investment, the greatest gift we can give to the next generation. For the Jewish community, Jewish education holds particular significance, as it ensures that our descendants will joyfully carry on the traditions that strengthen the chain of generations.
SABBATH On Friday evenings, the arrival of Shabbat is marked by women and girls lighting the Shabbat candles. These candles symbolize the peace of the home and the tranquility of the family.
PURITY The foundation of a harmonious family home is the relationship between husband and wife, which, when based on mutual respect and love, brings purity into our home. This is also important for our children, as it provides them with a sense of security and self-confidence. Adhering to the laws of marriage in Judaism allows us to live in lasting happiness and to build a beautiful family.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994) was a historically significant figure who united traditional Jewish values with the modern world. Born in czarist Russia as a scion of a famous rabbinical dynasty, he had to endure the anti-religious terror of Stalin’s Soviet Union and then the Holocaust during his youth. He pursued higher education in Paris and Berlin, and in 1951, he became the seventh leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic Orthodox Jewish movement in New York. This unique Jewish religious direction emerged as a philosophical school within the Hasidic movement, providing comprehensive teachings about the human soul, creation, God, and the purpose of man. Feeling the despair and hopelessness of Jewish communities after the Holocaust, the Rebbe revitalized the Hasidic approach by drawing from authentic sources of this teaching, establishing the largest Jewish religious movement that has brought a religious and cultural renaissance, with followers present in Hungary since 1989.

The Unquestioning and Shame-Free

Jewish Identity

A Rebbe had just completed his first year as the Lubavitcher Rebbe when, in 1951, he responded to a question about his plans in an interview by stating that the era of defense for Judaism was over. He proclaimed that they would not retreat into a defensive position but would instead launch an offensive to preserve Jewish identity and religion. The reporter was astonished, questioning why the young Rebbe did not realize that this was impossible in the twentieth century. However, the Rebbe understood that what the younger generation lacked was a certainty in their Jewish faith that was free of doubt and shame.

This insight sparked a significant Jewish renaissance that continues to this day. We no longer find it surprising that Jews who may not have received traditional Jewish education in their youth have turned toward Judaism later in life and are now living traditional Jewish lives. All of this is thanks to the Rebbe, whose offensive changed our worldview and demonstrated that it is indeed possible in today’s modern world. The Lubavitch movement is now present worldwide, with approximately 1,500 Lubavitch institutions and representatives operating in New York, Hong Kong, Australia, Morocco, Israel, and beyond.