2 syllables: Mitz, vah. Stress on Mitz.
MITS-vuh
/ˈmɪtsvə/
Mitzvah is pronounced MITS-vuh (/ˈmɪtsvə/). It has two syllables (Mitz-vah), with the stress on "Mitz". A mitzvah is a commandment or good deed in Judaism, often referring to a religious obligation or a charitable act performed as a duty or out of kindness. It denotes both ritual commandments and ethical actions, highlighting duty, responsibility, and communal or personal virtue within Jewish practice.
nounA mitzvah is a commandment or good deed in Judaism, often referring to a religious obligation or a charitable act performed as a duty or out of kindness. It denotes both ritual commandments and ethical actions, highlighting duty, responsibility, and communal or personal virtue within Jewish practice.
"She performed a mitzvah by helping the elderly neighbors with their groceries."
"Giving to the charity was a mitzvah in her community’s eyes."
"The rabbi spoke about fulfilling each mitzvah with intention and care."
Pronounce it as miht-SVAH (with the 'mit' sounding like 'mitt' and the second syllable rhyming with 'car' in non-rhotic accents). In Hebrew, the final syllable is 'vah' with a light 'a' like 'father'. IPA US: mɪtsˈvɑː. IPA UK/AU: mɪtsˈvɑː. Emphasize the second syllable; keep the 't' as a crisp release before the 'sv' cluster. You’ll often hear it as mɪtˈsvɑː or mɪt-s'vah in rapid speech; make sure the 'sv' transitions smoothly without an extra vowel.
Common errors include pronouncing it as 'mitz-veh' with a short vowel in the second syllable, or losing the //sv// cluster by inserting a vowel (mit-sova). Another frequent miss is softening the final 'vah' into a schwa or a 'vah' without real length. Correction: keep the second syllable stressed and use a clear 'sv' cluster: mɪtsˈvɑː. Practice by isolating 'mit' and 'svah' and then blending; ensure the t is a crisp aspirated release before the 'sv' cluster.
In US English, the vowel in the final syllable tends toward a broad 'ah' (ˈvɑː) with a non-rhotic tendency. UK English often preserves a clearer 'ɑː' and may onset with a harder 't' release: mɪtsˈvɑː. Australian pronunciation follows US patterns more closely but tends to be flatter vowels; keep the final 'vah' open. Across all, the 'sv' cluster remains the most defining feature; avoid inserting extra vowels between s and v.
Two main challenges: the consonant cluster 'ts' and the 'sv' sequence. The 'ts' can be mistaken as a single 't' or a hard 'z' sound; aim for a crisp 't' release into 'sv'. The 'sv' combination requires the tip of the tongue to approach the alveolar ridge without creating extra vowels. The final 'vah' should be clearly pronounced rather than reduced. Focus on the two consonant clusters and the open 'ah' vowel in the final syllable.
There are no silent letters in Mitzvah; the stress is on the second syllable: mit-SVAH. The 't' is pronounced; there is a strong 'sv' cluster with a clear 'a' vowel in the final syllable. Ensure you do not blend the second and third consonants into a single sound; keep the 'sv' sequence distinct. Mouth positions: start with a light front-high vowel in the first syllable, release the 't' firmly into the 'sv', then a long open 'ah' sound for the final syllable.
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From Hebrew mitzvah (plural mitzvot), from mitzavt 'a commandment' from the root tz-v-h meaning 'to command' or 'to ordain'. In Biblical Hebrew, mitzvah referred to a divine commandment or law. Rabbinic Hebrew expanded its sense to include not only ritual commandments (positive and negative) but also acts of kindness and moral obligation, often expressed through the phrase 'mitzvah shel avot' or 'mitzvah gelt' in various communities. The plural mitzvot denotes the 613 commandments traditionally enumerated in the Torah, though the count varies among authorities. In Yiddish and Ashkenazi Hebrew usage, mitzvah entered common speech as a general term for 'good deed' or 'deed done as obligation', and later in modern Hebrew it remains a staple term for both religious obligations and charitable acts. The word's cultural resonance extends beyond Judaism, appearing in interfaith dialogues to symbolize ethical action. First attested in ancient Hebrew texts, the concept appears in rabbinic literature (Talmud and Midrash) shaping Jewish ethics, law, and daily practice. The transliteration mitzvah is standard today; pronunciation variants reflect English-speaking community phonology, with stress typically on the second syllable in English usage. Modern scholarship treats mitzvah as a broad ethical/ritual construct rather than a single ritual act, highlighting intention (kavanah) and communal responsibility alongside formal obligations.
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Words that rhyme with "Mitzvah"
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