Mitzvah goreret mitzvah
Encyclopedia
The Hebrew phrase mitzvah goreret mitzvah, averah goreret averah (Hebrew:מצווה גוררת מצווה; עברה גוררת עברה.) "one good deed will bring another good deed, one transgression will bring another transgression," (Sayings of the Fathers 4:2) expresses the belief in Judaism
that following one commandment
leads to another. The saying is found in the mishnah
in Pirkei Avot 4:2.
There are several ways in which such an effect can take place. One can be as a result of inspiration, in which the act of a mitzvah is witnessed by others, who in turn, follow in their footsteps. Another is by habit
, in which a person who becomes accustomed to performing a mitzvah regularly..
The contrast to this belief is called aveira goreret aveira in which the commission of an aveira (sin) leads to another sin.
The phrase has often been used in songs for children to encourage the performance of good works.
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
that following one commandment
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
leads to another. The saying is found in the mishnah
Mishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
in Pirkei Avot 4:2.
There are several ways in which such an effect can take place. One can be as a result of inspiration, in which the act of a mitzvah is witnessed by others, who in turn, follow in their footsteps. Another is by habit
Habit
Habit or Habits may refer to:* Habit , an acquired pattern of behavior that often occurs automatically** Drug addiction is sometimes referred to as "having a drug habit"....
, in which a person who becomes accustomed to performing a mitzvah regularly..
The contrast to this belief is called aveira goreret aveira in which the commission of an aveira (sin) leads to another sin.
The phrase has often been used in songs for children to encourage the performance of good works.
Examples
- A person places money in a pushkaPushkaPushka may refer to:* Pushka is Russian for cannon and is used to characterize the Russian Tsar Cannon*Kolel Chibas Yerushalayim, charity box* A taluka in the Barabanki district of Northern India, in the Awadh region of the State of Uttar Pradesh...
(tzedaka collection box). This is seen by others, who in turn are inspired to place money in the box. - A person helps someone in need, and feels good about oneself and therefore continues to do so.