The Taryag Mitzvos

(613 Commandments From HaShem)

תּוֹרָה צִוָה-לָנו מֹשֶׁה מוֹרָשָה קְהִלַּת יַּעֲקֹב (דברים לג,ד)

Significance of 613

According to the Gemara (Makkos 23b), this pasuk states that Moshe transmitted the "Torah" from HaShem to the Jewish people: "Moshe commanded us the Torah as an inheritance for the community of Jacob" (Devarim 33,4). However, there were two commandments which God delivered directly to the Jews: the first two of the Ten Commandments; these are phrased in the first person. The Talmud calculates that the numerical value of the Hebrew word "Torah" is 611. Thus, Moshe's 611 commandments combined with the two directly from God add up to 613.

ג י ר ת
3 10 200 400

ה ר ו ת