LEV627 All of the commandments are either positive or negative. There is no need to explain this in regard to commandments that involve the limbs, for the are known by all. I will mention, however, a few of the positive and negative commandments which occur to me from among the duties of the heart; these will then serve as examples of all the rest. Examples of positive commandments from among the duties of the heart are: to believe that the world has a Creator, who brought it into existence from nonexistence, and that there is none like Him; to acknowledge His unity; to serve Him in one's heart; to contemplate the wonders of His creations and gain evidence of His existence; to put one's trust in Him; to be humble before Him; to be in awe of Him and afraid and ashamed because both our public and private selves are known to Him; to long to do His Will, and let all that one does be for His sake; to love Him and those devoted to Him, so as to become close to Him, and hate those who are His enemies; and any other similar duty which is not carried out externally, through the limbs. Examples of negative commandments from among the duties of the heart are the opposites of the above; also: not to be envious of, revengeful, or grudging with our people, as it is written: “Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against the children of your people” (Leviticus 19:18). Not to dwell on sin, desire it, or decide to do it; and similar matters of conscience which only the Creator knows of, as it is written: “I, God, search the heart and test the mind” (Yirmeyahu 17:10; “The soul of man is the lamp of God, searching all his inmost parts” (Mishlei 20:27).