MIŠNĀH. — Collection of rabbinic treatises from the 1st–3rd centuries A.D., constituting the “oral” law, that is, the deductions drawn from the Pentateuch, originally transmitted orally. M. means “teaching,” from žanāh (“to repeat, teach, learn”). Rabbi Jēhādhāh han-Nāsī undertook the redaction of this corpus iuris; but the collection of the mišnic material goes back to the time of Hillēl (v.) and ŠSAMMAJ (v.), and its arrangement was begun by R. 'Aqibā' (v.). The work of redacting the corpus was made necessary by divergences of opinion and by the concern that the Tōrāh might become like “two Tōrōth.” R. Jēhādhāh presents not only the opinions he approved, but also the opposing ones, so as to render the other collections superfluous. Texts contained in another collection, called Tōsephtā' (v.), also entered into the M. The text of the M. underwent slight variations as a result of the discussions concerning its content, collected in the gēmāra (v.).
The language in which the M. is composed is post-biblical Neo-Hebrew, and, alongside numerous Aramaisms, contains many words of Greek and Latin origin.
The M. consists of 6 “orders” (sēdher; 'ērekh is used only rarely); šīšāh sēdharīm (abbreviated šas). Each sēdher consists of a given number of “treatises” (massēkhetth, plural massēkhtōth). The treatises are divided into chapters (pēreq, plural pērāqīm), and the chapters into legal rules made the subject of instruction (mišnāh, plural mišnājōth, called in the Palestinian Talmud halākhōth, “rules for practice”). The number of treatises is currently 63. The doctors mentioned in the M. are called tannaim (v.).
The 1st order, Zērā'īm, “seeds,” deals with agriculture, but also with various offerings and sacrifices. It contains the following treatises: a) Bērākhōth (v.), “blessings,” “thanksgivings,” in 9 chapters: in an ancient manuscript it is found at the end of the 2nd order, and was placed here so as to begin with blessing and praise of the Lord. It prescribes the recitation of blessings: Šēma (v.), eighteen blessings, blessings over food, after meals, at the close of the Sabbath, on the occasion of natural phenomena and extraordinary events. b) Pē'āh (“edge” of the field): deals (with reference to Lev. 19, 9; 23, 22; Deut. 24, 19 ff.) with the owner’s obligation, at harvest time, to leave the edges of the field free for the poor and strangers, so that they may glean there, as well as the forgotten sheaves. It also deals with whatever else belongs to the poor. It contains 8 chapters. The treatise Pē'āh is followed by the gēmāra only in the Palestinian Talmud. c) Dēmaj: agricultural produce concerning which there is doubt, since the owner does not provide assurance regarding his knowledge of the Law, as to whether the tithes and offerings for priests and Levites have been taken. The purchaser is therefore responsible for fulfilling these obligations. If the owner is a person of repute, these obligations do not apply. It contains 7 chapters. In the Babylonian Talmud the treatise has no gēmārā'. d) Kil'ajim: indicates (with reference to Lev. 19, 19 and Deut. 22, 9 ff.) the prohibition of commingling in sowing, of animals, and of wool and linen in clothing. It comprises 9 chapters. Palestinian Gēmārā'. e) Šebhī'ith (“seventh year”): deals with the duty of allowing the land to rest and with the remission of debts during the seventh (“sabbatical”) year. It comprises 10 chapters. It regulates purchases and sales during the seventh year, the use of spontaneously growing agricultural produce, the remission of debts, and the prozbūl. Palestinian Gēmārā'. f) Tērāmōth (“offerings”): deals (cf. Num. 18, 2 ff.) with offerings due to the priest, with those who are incapable of performing this duty, and with the products exempt from II. It comprises 11 chapters. Gēmārā' only in the Palestinian Talmud. g) Ma'airōth: “tithes” due (Num. 18, 21 ff.) to the Levites. It comprises 7 chapters. It is also called Ma'āšer ri'šōn (“first tithe”). h) Ma'āšer šēnī (“second tithe”): deals (cf. Deut. 14, 22 ff.) with the tithe which the owner consumes in kind or in monetary form at Jerusalem on the occasion of the pilgrimage festivals. It comprises 5 chapters. i) Hallāh (“bread,” the offering to the priest of the dough from which bread is about to be baked: Num. 5, 18–21): establishes which kinds of grain are subject to the offering; the housewife must give one twenty-fourth of it, the baker one forty-eighth. It comprises 4 chapters. Palestinian Gēmārā'. l) Orlāh, the produce of a tree during its first 3 years: “uncircumcised” (Lev. 19, 23), its use remains forbidden. It comprises 3 chapters. Palestinian Gēmārā'. m) Bikhārīm (“first fruits”: Ex. 23, 19; 34, 26; Deut. 18, 4; 26, 1 ff.). In 3 chapters it establishes who may make the offering and recite praise to the Lord, the period of the offering, and the difference between it and the other offerings. Chapter 4 is absent from certain editions and is an extract from the Tōsephtā'; it concerns the differences between men and women with regard to bikhārīm. Palestinian Gēmārā'.
The 2nd order (Mō'ēdh, “festivals”) deals with the festivals of the religious year. It contains the following treatises: a) Šabāth (“Sabbath”): in 24 chapters it deals with the prohibited forms of work, from carrying objects and travelling to the tying of knots; there are 39 principal prohibited forms of work. The treatise considers, in addition to fire and circumcision, work performed by a non-Jew, work necessary for saving oneself, and work for the dead. Babylonian Gēmārā'; Palestinian up to chapter 20. b) Ērābhin (“mixtures”): the ideal fusion of private enclosures with public ones, so that on a feast day one may pass beyond the private enclosure without violating the law of rest. In 10 chapters it establishes the applications of 'ērābhin: concessions for soldiers in camp, a well situated in a public enclosure, roofs, the carrying into a house of a child born in the open countryside on the Sabbath, and lawful Sabbath activities in the Temple. Little Palestinian gēmārā'; abundant Babylonian gēmārā'. c) Pēshīm, “Passover festival”: in 10 chapters it establishes the removal of leavened matter, the grain for unleavened bread, what is to be done if the 14th of nīsān falls on the Sabbath, the Passover sacrifice, the roasting of the lamb, the groups formed for the consumption of the lamb, the “second” Passover (Num. 9, 10 ff.), and the meal of the first festive evening. Abundant Babylonian and Palestinian gēmārā'. d) Šēqālim (“shekels”): deals with the half-shekel tax (Ex. 30, 12 ff.) for the maintenance of worship. In 8 chapters it regulates the time when payment is proclaimed and who is obliged to contribute, the exchange of coins and the use of the surplus money, the case of one who has consecrated his possessions, the offices in the sanctuary, the 13 tables and the 13 gates where prostrations were performed, the sacrifices, and the tent of the Temple. e) Jōmā' “the day” (“atonement”): an abbreviation of jōmā' ṣabā' (“great day”), commonly called jōm hak-kippūrīm. In 8 chapters it deals with the high priest’s preparations for the rite, the lot by which the individual priestly functions were assigned, the casting of lots for the goats, the purification of the golden altar, the confession and 'Āzā', the reading of the passage from the Tōrah, and atonement. f) Sukkāh “booth”: in 5 chapters it deals with the Feast of Tabernacles (v.), that is, the construction of and dwelling in the sukkāh, the festive bouquet (Lev. 23, 40), the festive ceremonies, the pouring of water, the playing of flutes, the‑
the sound of the ram’s horn, the sacrifices offered. g) Bējāh (“egg”), a treatise so called after its first subject: Talmud (v.) it is called jōm jōbh, “good day” (festive day); in 5 chapters it deals with the work that may be performed on a festive day when it is preceded by another festive or sabbath day. h) Rō'ī haš-šāmāh, “head of the year”: in 4 chapters it deals with the various “new years” within each year on which the Lord judges the world, the determination and attestation of the new moons, the blessing of the new moon, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the liturgy of the New Year. i) Ta'ānīth, “fast”: in 4 chapters it deals with penitential or propitiatory observances, namely prayer and ceremonies ad petendam pluviam, occasional public fasts and those of a historical-national character (the 17th of the month of tammaz, the 9th of 'ābh), and offerings of wood for the Temple. l) Mēghillāh (“scroll” containing the book of Ester): in 4 chapters it deals with the precepts concerning the reading of the scroll, the sale of synagogues and sacred furnishings, the ten persons required to establish the public character of a religious service, precepts concerning the reading of the Tōrah and the Prophets, and the translation of Sacred Scripture. m) Mō'ēdh qājān (“minor festivals”): concerning the semi-festive days falling between the first and last day of Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, Pūrīm (v.) and enceme: permitted work and funeral ceremonies (3 chapters). n) Haghighāh: the festive “sacrifice” offered in addition to those required on the occasion of the pilgrimage festivals. In 3 chapters it deals with: who is obliged to make the festive pilgrimage to Jerusalem; the prohibition against engaging in gnosis; the laying on of hands on the head of the animal to be offered; and ritual washing of the hands.
The 3rd order (Nāsīm, “women”) deals predominantly with matrimonial and family law and with the precepts concerning vows made by women, which the husband has the power to annul. It contains the following treatises: a) Jēbhāmōth (“sisters-in-law”): marriage (v.), in 16 chapters. b) Kēthubōth, “writings”: marriage contracts. In 13 chapters it deals with the days on which weddings may be celebrated, seduction and violation, and questions of property in cases of monogamy and polygamy. c) Nēdhārīm, “vows” (Num. 30): in 11 chapters it deals with the formulation of the vow; vows of abstinence of various kinds; and the annulment of vows. d) Nāzīr, “Nazirite” (Num. 6): the duration, significance, prohibitions, purity and impurity, and annulments concerning the Nazirite state; the Nazirite state of women and slaves (9 chapters). e) Sōtāh (“seduced woman”): the woman suspected of adultery (Num. 5, 11 ff.); it also deals with the heifer to be killed in the case of homicide committed by unknown persons (Deut. 21, 1–9); signs heralding the coming of the Messiah; and various degrees of sanctity and piety (9 chapters). f) Gīrīn (“divorces,” plural of gērī): documents for divorcing a wife (or freeing a slave). In 11 chapters it deals with the precepts concerning the writing and delivery of the document that annuls the marriage. g) Qiddāsin (“consecration,” that is, celebration of marriage): the act of coempto by means of an object of value (minimal and symbolic), through an agent, or by delegation; which of the 10 classes of families returned from the Babylonian exile may intermarry.
The 4th order (Nēzīqīn, “damages”) deals with civil and criminal law. In the Palestinian Talmud it is euphemistically called Jēšū'ōth, “salvation.” This order contains the following treatises of civil and criminal law. a–c) (perhaps originally united): Bābhā' qammā', “first gate” (7 chapters); Bābhā' mēzī'ā', “middle gate” (8 chapters); Bābhā' bāthrā', “last gate” (10 chapters): these are introductory in character. d) Sanhedhārīn, “Sanhedrin.” In 11 chapters it explains: the college of 3 judges, the minor Sanhedrin of 23 members and the great Sanhedrin of 71 members, the election of arbitrating judges, witnesses, the death penalty, those excluded from participation in the life to come, the false prophet, and the privileges of the high priest and the king. e) Makhāth, “blows” (Deut. 25, 1 ff.): in 3 chapters it deals with false witnesses, involuntary homicide and the cities of refuge, and 59 actions punishable by flogging. f) Šēbhū'ōth, “oaths” (8 chapters): expiation of sins against Levitical sanctity; various kinds of oaths; objects held in custody. g) Ēdhujōth, “testimonies” (concerning 100 principal questions issued by ancient authorities). h) 'Ābhādhāh zārāh, “foreign worship”: the obligation to separate oneself from pagans and pagan worship (of Roman origin); restrictions on the purchase and sale of animals and ornaments, buildings, and palaces; images and wine; pagan worship in general. h) 'Abhōth, “fathers”: sayings of ancient rabbis. 10. Hōrāfōth, “teachings,” “decisions”: in 3 chapters it deals with error in a judicial decision, the limits of the responsibility of the court and of a judgment, and genealogical distinctions: priests, Levites, ordinary Israelites, proselytes, etc. A learned bastard is worth more than an ignorant high priest.
The 5th order (Qudhālim, “sanctity, sacrificial worship”) deals with sacrifices, matters concerning ritual slaughter, and other dietary precepts. It contains the treatises: a) Zēbhōhim (“sacrifices”), in 14 chapters: the intentions with which the sacrifice is offered; what renders it unfit; the sprinkling of the blood; which priests are excluded from consuming the sacrificial meat. b) Mēnāfōth, “meal offerings” (Lev. 2, 2), in 13 chapters: the firstfruits, the 2 loaves of Pentecost offered as firstfruits, the bread of the Presence on the sacred table; and the libations. c) Hullin, “profane things” (non-sacred): in 11 chapters it deals with the slaughter of non-sacrificial animals, the precepts concerning slaughter, dietary precepts, the prohibitions against slaughtering diseased animals or animals intended for pagan worship, and the precepts of Lev. 22, 28 and of Ex. 23, 19; 34, 26; Deut. 14, 21 and Deut. 22, 6. d) Bēkhōrōth, “firstborn,” in 9 chapters: it concerns the precepts of Ex. 13, 2.12 ff.; 34, 19 ff.; Lev. 27, 26 ff.; Num. 8, 16 ff.; 18, 15 ff.; and Deut. 15, 19 ff. e) 'Arākhīn, “valuations”: concerning vows (Lev. 25, 25 ff.; 17, 2–20) and the persons who make the vows. f) Tēmūrāth, “exchange,” 7 chapters: substitution in the offering of animals (Lev. 27, 10). g) Kērīthōth, “extirpation”: premature natural death, frequently mentioned in the Tōrāh; which transgressions are punished in this manner; and sacrificial precepts (6 chapters). h) Mē'īlōh: an “offering” of reparation (Lev. 5, 15; Num. 5, 6 ff.), in 6 chapters. i) Tāmīlōh (the “perpetual” or “daily” sacrifice: Ex. 29, 38 ff.; Num. 28, 3 ff.): the watches of the priests, ritual ablutions, the sacrificial fire, the morning prayer, incense, and the psalms that the priests sang on the individual days of the week (7 chapters). l) Middāth, “measures” (of the Temple Mount; walls and courtyards): the chamber of the Sanhedrin (5 chapters). m) Qinnim, “nests” of birds: the offering of two doves in Lev. 12, 8; also Lev. 15, 14 ff.; 5, 7; 14, 22 (chapters).
The 6th order (Tēhārōth, “purity”) deals with Levitical purity and impurity. It contains the treatises: a) Kēlim, “vessels” (of the most varied kinds): their Levitical impurity (Lev. 6, 20 ff.; 11, 32 ff.; Num. 19, 14 ff.; 31, 20 ff.); the 10 degrees of impurity that proceed from man and the 10 degrees of sanctity that extend from the Holy Land to the Holy of Holies of the Temple (30 chapters). b) 'Chidāth, “tents”: the spread of impurity emanating from a human corpse (Num. 19, 14 ff.), in 18 chapters. c) Nēghā'im, “plagues,” leprosy (Lev. 13 and 14), in 14 chapters. d) Pārāh, “heifer” (red: Num. 19): it deals with homicide committed by unknown persons (Deut. 21) and with the water of sprinkling, in 12 chapters. e) Tēhārōth, “purity”: a euphemism for “impurity” of a lesser degree. f) Mīgwā'ōth, “baths” (ritual baths) for immersion, in 10 chapters. g) Niddāh, “menstruant” (and woman in childbirth; Lev. 12; 15, 19 ff.; 18, 19; 20, 18), in 10 chapters. h) Makhārīn or Maigīn, liquids through which foods can become
ritually impure (Lev. 11:34, 37 f.). i) Zābhīm “those afflicted with gonorrhea” (Lev. 15), in 15 chapters. l) Tēbhūl jōm “the one immersed for the day,” that is, the impure state of one who has performed the purification bath and is awaiting sunset in order to become pure (Lev. 15 and 22:6 f.); contact by the tēbhūl jōm renders certain foods and certain offerings “unfit,” pābūl (4 chapters). m) Jādhajīm “hands”: ritual impurity and purification of the hands; the untouchability of the Sacred Writings; the quantity of water and the manner of pouring it in order to perform the purification (4 chapters). n) 'Og-
sin “stems”: cases of impurity affecting the stems, buds, and leaves of plants (3 chapters).
M. is also translated in the version of the entire Babylonian Talmud by L. Goldschmid.