Mitzvos of the Mind

There are many mitzvos that can be fulfilled through thought alone. Many of these mitzvos are the most basic obligations that a Jew has. These mitzvos are very important to Judaism because they give meaning and significance to all the mitzvos which we perform. Without the proper thoughts the fulfillment of other mitzvos can become nothing more than empty actions. The following is a partial listing of mitzvos that can be fulfilled just by thinking. Many can be fulfilled at any time, and therefore provide us with the opportunity to serve HaShem at all times.

Positive Mitzvos of the Mind

1. To believe in the existence of HaShem and that He created the world from nothing and that He controls every detail of existence.
2. To believe that HaShem is One, that He is a single perfect Unity and that there is no other like Him.
3. To fear HaShem. This fear has two forms. The first is to fear punishment for our sins. This is the lower form but it is still very important. The second, higher, form of fear is to be in awe of HaShem's greatness. This fear requires us to behave in a manner that demonstrates our recognition that HaShem sees and knows all that we do and think.
4. To love HaShem with all your heart, soul, and strength.
5. To attach yourself to HaShem. This means that the motivation for all your activities, even ordinary activities, should be to serve HaShem. For example, we should eat with the purpose of strengthening ourselves to serve HaShem, we should sleep with the intent to rest ourselves to properly serve HaShem. All our actions should be for this purpose.
6. To think about the meaning of the Shema when we recite it.
7. To pray to HaShem every day. Even though prayer is spoken, it is really a mitzvah of the mind because we are required to think about what we are saying.
8. To behave in the ways of HaShem. The Torah tells us, "and you walk in His ways" (Devarim 28:9). Our Sages teach us, "Just as HaShem is called Merciful, so too must we be merciful. Just as HaShem is called Compassionate, so too must we be Compassionate. Just as HaShem is called Righteous, so too must we be righteous. Just as HaShem is called Holy, so too must we be Holy." We are required to try to perfect our character to the greatest degree possible, always coming closer to the ways of HaShem.
9. To respect holy places, such as the Holy Temple and even ordinary synagogues.
10. To respect and honor your father and your mother.
11. To love your fellow Jew as yourself. This means to love every other Jew so much that you are as concerned about his well being as you are about your own.
12. To love converts.
13. To judge your fellow Jew favorably. This requires us assume the best possible explanation for any questionable act. For example, if we see an observant Jew driving on Shabbos we should assume that he is driving because of a medical emergency.
14. To do teshuva for our sins.

Negative Mitzvos of the Mind

1. To not desire things which belong to other people.
2. To not be haughty and proud, but instead to be modest and humble.
3. To not become angry.
4. To not hate your fellow Jew.
5. To not believe lashon hara.
6. To not be stingy to the poor. Even if you give, you are not allowed to resent it.
7. To not think about sinful actions.
8. To not love someone who tries to turn you or other Jews away from Judaism.