Mishnah

The Mishnah (Hebrew for repetition) is part of the Jewish scriptures. It is a recording of the oral tradition of the Pharisee sect, as set forth by Rabbi Judah haNasi around the year A.D. 200. As such, it is the first work of [Rabbinic Judaism]?.

The Mishnah is noteworthy in Rabbinic literature for its depiction of a religious universe in which the Temple in Jerusalem, destroyed a century earlier, still retains a central place. Laws concerning the Temple service constitute one of the Mishnah's six divisions. By contrast, the later Talmuds comment only on those part of the Mishnah applicable in post-Temple times.

Also noteworthy is the Mishnah's lack of citation of a scriptural basis for its laws. Connecting the Mishnaic law with the Torah law was a major enterprise of the later Midrash and Talmuds.

The Hebrew verb 'shanah' literally means 'to repeat [what one was taught] and is used to mean 'to learn'. The term 'Mishna' basically means the entire body of Jewish religious law that was passed down and developed before 200 CE, when it was finally redacted by Rabbi Yehudah haNasi (Judah the Prince). He is usually simply referred to as 'Rabbi'.

Prior to the time of Rabbi, all Jewish Law was transmitted orally; It was expressly forbidden to write and publish the Oral Law, as any writing would be incomplete and subject to misinterpretation and abuse. However, after great debate, this restriction was lifted when it became apparent that it was the only way to insure that the law could be preserved. To prevent the material from being lost, Rabbi took up the redaction of the Mishna. He did not do this at his own discretion, but rather examined the tradition all the way back to the Great Assembly. Some of tractates preceded him; These he merely supplemented.

The Mishna consists of six orders (sedarim). This explains the traditional name for the Talmud as 'Shas'. 'Shas' is simply an abbreviation of shishah sedarim, six orders'. Each of the six orders contains between 7 and 12 tractates, called 'masekhot'. Each masekhot is divided into smaller units called 'mishnayot'.

First Order: Zeraim (Seeds). 11 tractates. It deals with agricultural laws and prayers

Second Order: Mo'ed (Festival Days). 12 tractates. This pertains to the laws of the Sabbath and the Festivals.

Third Order: Nashim (Women). 7 tractates. Concerns marriage and divorce.

Fourth Order: Neziqin (Damages). 10 tractates. Deals with civil and criminal law.

Fifth Order: Qodashim (Holy things). 11 tractates. This involves sacrificial rites, the Temple, and the dietary laws.

Sixth order: Toharot (Purity). 12 tractates. This pertains to ritual and the laws of family purity.