What is an example of a negative command from the 613 mitzvoth?

The correct answer is the command not to steal, which is indeed a negative command from the 613 mitzvoth in Jewish law. Negative commandments, also known as prohibitions, instruct individuals on what actions to avoid. In this case, the act of stealing represents a clear violation of ethical and moral standards as it infringes upon the rights and property of others.

In contrast, the other options represent positive commandments. Honoring one’s parents is an obligation emphasizing respect and care for family, while praying daily and celebrating festivals are both instructions to engage in specific acts of worship and community observance. These actions promote positive behaviors rather than prohibiting negative ones, making them fundamentally different from negative commandments like not to steal.

Thus, the emphasis on refraining from theft aligns with the nature of negative commandments, focusing on the ethical responsibility of individuals to abstain from harmful or damaging behaviors.