To have children with one's wife

This mitzvah commands a man to have children with his wife, ensuring the continuity of the Jewish people. The Torah places great importance on bringing life into the world, as it fulfills Hashem’s blessing to humanity at creation and guarantees the survival of Israel. Beyond physical continuity, this mitzvah carries spiritual meaning: raising children to walk in the ways of Torah and mitzvot, thereby extending holiness to future generations.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

• Rambam (Hilchot Ishut 15:2): A man is obligated to strive to fulfill this mitzvah, ideally with at least one son and one daughter, reflecting the verse in Isaiah 45:18.
• Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 1): The root is to sustain the world through human continuity and to ensure the Jewish people endure to fulfill the Torah.
• Talmud (Yevamot 61b–62a): States that one who refrains from procreation is as if he diminishes the image of G-d and neglects a primary mitzvah of creation.