Kavanah for Mitzvos

There is a debate about whether a person needs to have kavanah (intent) before performing a mitzvah. This means having the intention to fulfill a mitzvah.

The Shulchan Aruch states:

י”א שאין מצות צריכות כוונה, וי”א שצריכות כוונה לצאת בעשיית אותה מצוה, וכן הלכה

“There are those who say that mitzvos do not require intent. And there are those who say that mitzvos do require intent in order to fulfill the obligation through performing them, and this is the halachah.”
(Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayim 60:4)

In addition, some explain that even according to the opinion that mitzvos require kavannah, there are certain exceptions where kavannah is not necessary.

The Mishnah Berurah elaborates:

רק שמחולקים בעניין אם חייב לכוון קודם שמתחיל המצוה לצאת בעשיית אותה המצוה. ולמצוה מן המובחר כו”ע מודים דצריך כוונה

“The disagreement is specifically about whether one must have intent before beginning the mitzvah in order to fulfill the obligation through its performance. However, for optimal fulfillment of the mitzvah, all agree that intent is required.“
(Mishnah Berurah 60:7)

The basic intent to have is simply that you are fulfilling a mitzvah.

This intent can be formulated in different ways, either in your mind or expressed verbally.

I personally like the version discussed in the excellent sefer Ka’asher Tziva Hashem by Rabbi Daniel Garfinkel, which is:

“I am doing this mitzvah as Hashem commanded (ka’asher tziva Hashem).”

As Rabbi Garfinkel points out, it is even better to have kavanah for the specific mitzvah you are performing, for example:

“I have in mind to fulfill the mitzvah of ____ as Hashem commanded.”

For a more in-depth study of the halachos of having kavanah for mitzvos, I highly recommend Rabbi Garfinkel’s sefer Ka’asher Tziva Hashem.