B. IN CRITICISM
IV. DIVISION AND CONTENTS OF THE MISHNA (AND THE TALMUD)
The Mishna (as also the Talmud) is divided into six “orders” ([cedharim]) or chief parts, the names of which indicate their chief contents, namely, [Zera`im], Agriculture; [Moe`dh], Feasts; [Nashim], Women; [Neziqin], Civil and Criminal Law; [Qodhashim], Sacrifices; [Teharoth], Unclean Things and Their Purification.
The “orders” are divided into tracts ([maccekheth], plural [maccikhtoth]), now 63, and these again into chapters ([pereq], plural [peraqim]), and these again into paragraphs ([mishnayoth]). It is Customary to cite the Mishna according to tract chapter and paragraph, e.g. Sanh. (Sanhedhrin) x.1. The Babylonian Talmud is cited according to tract and page, e.g.
(Babylonian Talmud) Shabbath 30b; in citing the Palestinian Talmud the number of the chapter is also usually given, e.g. (Palestinian Talmud) Shabbath vi.8d (in most of the editions of the Palestinian Talmud each page has two columns, the sheet accordingly has four).
1. Zera`im, “Seeds”:
(1) [Berakhoth], “Benedictions”: “Hear, O Israel” (<050604>Deuteronomy 6:4, [shema`]); the 18 benedictions, grace at meals, and other prayers.
(2) [Pe’ah], “Corner” of the field (<031909>Leviticus 19:9 f; <052419>Deuteronomy 24:19 ff).
(3) [Dema’i], “Doubtful” fruits (grain, etc.) of which it is uncertain whether the duty for the priests and, in the fixed years, the 2nd tithe have been paid.
(4) [Kil’ayim], “Heterogeneous,” two kinds, forbidden mixtures
(<031919>Leviticus 19:19; <052209>Deuteronomy 22:9 ff).
(5) [Shebhi`ith], “Seventh Year,” Sabbatical year (<022311>
Exodus 23:11;
<032501>Leviticus 25:1 ff); Shemiqqah (<051501>Deuteronomy 15:1 ff).
(6) [Terumoth], “Heave Offerings” for the priests (<041808>Numbers 18:8 ff;
<051804>
Deuteronomy 18:4).
(7) [Ma`aseroth] or [Ma`aser ri’shon], “First Tithe” (<041821>Numbers 18:21 ff).
(8) [Ma`aser sheni], “Second Tithe” (<051422>Deuteronomy 14:22 ff).
(9) [Challah], (offering of a part of the) “Dough” (<041518>Numbers 15:18 ff).
(10) [`Orlah], “Foreskin” of fruit trees during the first three years
(<031923>Leviticus 19:23).
(11) [Bikkurim], “First-Fruits” (<052601>Deuteronomy 26:1 ff; <022319>Exodus 23:19).
2. Mo`edh, “Feasts”:
(1) [Shabbath] (<022010>Exodus 20:10; 23:12; <050514>Deuteronomy 5:14).
(2) [`Erubhin], “Mixtures,” i.e. ideal combination of localities with the purpose of facilitating the observance of the Sabbatical laws.
(3) [Pesachim], “Passover” (Exodus 12; <032305>Leviticus 23:5 ff; <042816>Numbers 28:16 ff; <051601>Deuteronomy 16:1); Numbers 9, the Second Passover
(<040910>Numbers 9:10 ff).
(4) [Sheqalim], “Shekels” for the Temple (compare <161033>Nehemiah 10:33;
<023012>
Exodus 30:12 ff).
(5) [Yoma’], “The Day” of Atonement (Leviticus 16).
(6) [Cukkah], “Booth,” Feast of Tabernacles (<032334>
Leviticus 23:34 ff;
<042912>Numbers 29:12 ff; <051613>Deuteronomy 16:13 ff).
(7) [Betsah], “Egg” (first word of the treatise) or [Yom Tobh], “Feast,” on the difference between the Sabbath and festivals (compare <021210>Exodus 12:10).
(8) [Ro’sh ha-shanah], “New Year,” first day of the month [Tishri]
(<032324>Leviticus 23:24 f; <042901>Numbers 29:1 ff).
(9) [Ta`anith], “Fasting.”
(10) [Meghillah], “The Roll” of Esther, [Purim] (<170928>Esther 9:28).
(11) [Mo`edh qatan], “Minor Feast,” or [Mashqin], “They irrigate” (first word of the treatise), the days between the first day and the last day of the feast of Passover, and likewise of Tabernacles.
(12) [Chaghighah], “Feast Offering,” statutes relating to the three feasts of pilgrimage (Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles); compare <051616>Deuteronomy 16:16 f.
3. Nashim, “Women”:
(1) [Yebhamoth], “Sisters-in-Law” (perhaps better, [Yebhamuth], Levirate marriage; <052505>Deuteronomy 25:5 ff; compare <080405>Ruth 4:5; <402224>Matthew 22:24).
(2) [Kethubhoth], “Marriage Deeds.”
(3) [Nedharim], “Vows,” and their annulment (Numbers 30).
(4) [Nazir], “Nazirite” (Numbers 6).
(5) [Gittin], “Letters of Divorce” (<052401>Deuteronomy 24:1; compare
<400531>Matthew 5:31).
(6) [Cotah], “The Suspected Woman” (<040511>Numbers 5:11 ff).
(7) [Qiddushin], “Betrothals.”
4. Nezikin, “Damages”:
(1) (2) and
(3) [Babha’ qamma’], [Babha’ metsi`a’], [Babha’ bathra’], “The First Gate,” “The Second Gate,” “The Last Gate,” were in ancient times only one treatise called [Neziqin]:
(a) Damages and injuries and the responsibility;
(b) and
(c) right of possession.
(4) and
(5) Sanhedhrin, “Court of Justice,” and [Makkoth] “Stripes”
(<052501>Deuteronomy 25:1 ff; compare 1 Corinthians 11:24). In ancient times
only one treatise; criminal law and criminal proceedings.
(6) [Shebhu`oth], “Oaths” (<030501>Leviticus 5:1 ff).
(7) [`Edhuyoth], “Attestations” of later teachers as to the opinions of former authorities.
(8) [`Abhodhah zarah], “Idolatry,” commerce and intercourse with idolaters.
(9) [’Abhoth], (sayings of the) “Fathers”; sayings of the [Tanna’im].
(10) [Horayoth], (erroneous) “Decisions,” and the sin offering to be brought in such a case (<030413>Leviticus 4:13 ff).
5. Qodhashim, “Sacred Things”:
(1) [Zebhahim], “Sacrifices” (Leviticus 1 ff).
(2) [Menachoth], “Meal Offerings” (<030205>Leviticus 2:5,11 ff; 6:7 ff;
<040515>
Numbers 5:15 ff, etc.).
(3) [Chullin], “Common Things,” things non-sacred; slaughtering of animals and birds for ordinary use.
(4) [Bekhoroth], “The Firstborn” (<021302>Exodus 13:2,12 f; <032726>Leviticus 27:26 f,32; <040806>Numbers 8:6 ff, etc.).
(5) [`Arakhin], “Estimates,” “Valuations” of persons and things dedicated to God (<032702>Leviticus 27:2 ff).
(6) [Temurah], “Substitution” of a common (non-sacred) thing for a sacred one (compare <032710>Leviticus 27:10,33).
(7) [Kerithoth], “Excisions,” the punishment of being cut off from Israel
(<011714>Genesis 17:14; <021215>Exodus 12:15, etc.).
(8) [Me`ilah], “Unfaithfulness,” as to sacred things, embezzlement
(<040506>Numbers 5:6 ff; <030515>Leviticus 5:15 f).
(9) [Tamidh], “The Daily Morning and Evening Sacrifice” (<022938>Exodus 29:38 ff; Numbers 38:3 ff).
(10) [Middoth], “Measurements” of the Temple.
(11) [Qinnim], “Nests,” the offering of two turtle-doves or two young pigeons (<030114>Leviticus 1:14 ff; 5:1 ff; 12:8).
6. Teharoth, “Clean Things”:
This title is used euphemistically for “unclean things”:
(1) [Kelim], “Vessels” (<030620>Leviticus 6:20 f; 11:32 ff; <041914>Numbers 19:14 ff;
31:20 ff).
(2) [’Oholoth], “Tents,” the impurity originating with a corpse or a part of it (compare <041914>Numbers 19:14).
(3) [Negha`im], “Leprosy” (Leviticus 13; 14).
(4) [Parah], “Red Heifer”; its ashes used for the purpose of purification (<041902>
Numbers 19:2 ff).
See HEIFER, RED.
(5) [Teharoth], “Clean Things,” euphemistically for defilements.
(6) [Mikwa’oth], “Diving-Baths” (<031512>Leviticus 15:12; <043133>Numbers 31:33;
<031408>Leviticus 14:8; 15:5 ff; compare <410704>Mark 7:4).
(7) [Niddah], “The Menstruous” (<031519>Leviticus 15:19 ff; 12).
(8) [Makhshirin], “Preparers,” or [Mashqin], “Fluids” (first word of the treatise). Seven liquids (wine, honey, oil, milk, dew, blood, water) which tend to cause grain, etc., to become defiled (compare <031134>Leviticus 11:34,37 f) .
(9) [Zabhim], “Persons Having an Issue,” flux (Leviticus 15).
(10) [Tebhul yom], “A Person Who Has Taken the Ritual Bath during the Day,” and is unclean until sunset (<031505>Leviticus 15:5; 22:6 f).
(11) [Yadhayim], “Hands,” the ritual impurity of hands and their purification (compare <401502>
Matthew 15:2,20; <410722>
Mark 7:22 ff).
(12) [`Uqtsin], “Stalks,” the conveyance of ritual impurity by means of the stalks and hulls of plants.