好词典

mitzvah

UK /ˈmɪtsvə/US /ˈmɪtsvɑː/

词源

源自希伯来语'mitzvah'(מצווה),意为'命令'或'诫命',词根与'command'相关。

noun

❶ 犹太教中指神所命令的行为或善行,既包括宗教义务也包括道德行为,是犹太人应尽的责任。

“Helping the poor is considered a mitzvah in Judaism.”

(在犹太教中,帮助穷人被视为一种神圣义务。)

“He performed a mitzvah by visiting the sick.”

(他通过探望病人履行了一项宗教善行。)

❶ 在非正式场合中,可以指任何值得称赞的善行或好事,即使与犹太教无关。

“It's a mitzvah to help your neighbor shovel snow.”

(帮助邻居铲雪是件值得称赞的好事。)

“Volunteering at the shelter was a real mitzvah.”

(在收容所做志愿者确实是件善事。)

同义词:commandment, good deed, religious duty, charity, obligation

常见短语

bar mitzvah — 犹太男孩13岁时的成人礼,象征其开始承担宗教责任。

“David's bar mitzvah ceremony was held at the synagogue last Saturday.”

(大卫的成人礼上周六在犹太教堂举行。)

bat mitzvah — 犹太女孩12或13岁时的成人礼,相当于男孩的bar mitzvah。

“Sarah gave a speech at her bat mitzvah about Jewish values.”

(莎拉在她的成人礼上发表了关于犹太价值观的演讲。)