The primary meaning of the Hebrew word mitzvah ("commandment", Hebrew: מִצְוָה‎‎, [mit͡sˈva], Biblical: miṣwah; plural מִצְווֹת mitzvot [mit͡sˈvot], Biblical: miṣwoth; from צִוָּה ṣiwwah "command") refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God. It is a word used in Judaism to refer to the 613 commandments given in the Torah (at Mount Sinai, where all the Jews accepted the Torah, saying "We will do, and we will listen") and the seven rabbinic commandments instituted later for a total of 620. According to the teachings of Judaism, all moral laws are, or are derived from, divine commandments.

The secondary meaning of Hebrew mitzvah, as with English "commandment," refers to a moral deed performed as a religious duty. As such, the term mitzvah has also come to express an act of human kindness. The tertiary meaning of mitzvah also refers to the fulfillment of a mitzvah.

The opinions of the Talmudic rabbis are divided between those who seek the purpose of the mitzvot and those who do not question them. The latter argue that if the reason for each mitzvah could be determined, people might try to achieve what they see as the purpose of the mitzvah, without actually performing the mitzvah itself ("Lishma"), which would become self-defeating. The former believe that if people were to understand the reason and the purpose for each mitzvah, it would actually help them to observe and perform the mitzvah (some mitzvot are given reasons in the Torah).

Rabbi Avraham Schorr, also known as Avrohom Schorr is a prominent Rabbi in Flatbush, NY and Rav of Kahal Tiferes Yaakov at 1212 East 15th Street. He is the son of the late Rav Gedalia Schorr former Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and brother of Rabbi Yisroel Simcha Schorr, current Rosh Yeshivah of Ohr Somayach, Monsey and one of the General Editors of the English and Hebrew translations of Artscroll's Schottenstein Edition Talmud. Rabbi Schorr is a highly sought after speaker among Orthodox Jewish communities known for his fiery and inspiring speeches.

Rabbi Schorr has produced numerous publications including the compiler of Ohr Gedaliyahu and numerous other works. His lectures, mostly in Yiddish, but also English, are threaded from multiple sources to clarify the meaning of daily prayers, ethical teachings, and detailed commentaries on the Talmud. He holds a regular schedule of lectures, and has a following about more than 100 students who learn daily "Daf Yomi", the daily learning of the Talmud. His lectures have been described as "thick" with content, challenging his audience to keep pace with his multi-threaded points. His late Shabbos Evening meals are attended by hundreds of followers.