The Division of the Mitzvot According to the Halachot of the
Mishneh Torah
I saw fit to divide this text into fourteen books.
The first book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that are the foundations of the faith [taught by] Moses, our teacher, of blessed memory, those which a person must know before everything - e.g., the unity of God, blessed be He, and the prohibition against worshipping false gods. I have called this book The Book of Knowledge.
The second book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that are constant and which were commanded to us so that we will love God and constantly remember Him - e.g., the recitation of the Shema, prayer, tefillin, and the priestly blessing. Circumcision is included in this category because it is a sign in our flesh to recall [God] constantly, during the times when we are not wearing tefillin, tzitzit, or the like. I have called this book The Book of Love.
The third book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that are associated with specific times - e.g., the Sabbath and the festivals. I have called this book The Book of the Seasons.
The fourth book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that involve intimate relations - e.g., marriage, divorce, yibbum, and chalitzah. I have called this book The Book of Women.
The fifth book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that involve forbidden intimate relations and those that involve forbidden foods. [I have grouped the two (forbidden intimate relations and forbidden foods) together] because it is in these two matters that God has sanctified us and separated us from the [other] nations.
[The Torah mentions the concept of holiness] with regard to both these matters, stating [Leviticus 20:24, 27]: "[I am God, your Lord,] who has separated you from among the nations... and I have set you apart among the nations." [Accordingly,] I have called this book The Book of Holiness.
The sixth book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that one is obligated in when he forbids himself [certain things] by his statements - e.g., vows and oaths. I have called this book The Book of Utterances.
The seventh book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that deal with the produce of the earth - e.g., the Sabbatical and Jubilee years, the tithes, the terumot, and the other mitzvot which are relevant to this subject. I have called this book The Book of Agricultural [Laws].
The eighth book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that involve the construction of the Temple and the communal offerings that are brought regularly. I have called this book The Book of [the Temple and its] Service.
The ninth book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that involve the sacrifices [brought by] individuals. I have called this book The Book of Sacrifices. The tenth book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that involve ritual purity and impurity. I have called this book The Book of Ritual Purity.
The eleventh book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that [govern relations] between an individual and his colleague that involve damage to property or personal injury. I have called this book The Book of Damages.
The twelfth book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that govern sales and the acquisition [of property]. I have called this book The Book of Acquisition [of Property].
The thirteenth book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that [govern relations] between an individual and his colleague and do not involve damage at the outset - e.g., the laws of watchmen, debtors, claims lodged [against one another], and [their] denial. I have called this book The Book of Judgments.
The fourteenth book - I will include within it all the mitzvot that are delegated to the Sanhedrin - e.g., execution [when convicted by] the court, the acceptance of testimony, and the laws pertaining to a king and the wars he [wages]. I have called this book The Book of Judges.
These are [the governing principles for] the division of the Halachot of this text according to the subjects [treated in] the [different] books and the division of the mitzvot according to the subjects [treated in] the halachot.
The Listing of the Mitzvot According to the Halachot of the Mishneh Torah
Sefer HaMada- The Book of Knowledge
It contains five halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah - The Laws [which are] the Foundations of the Torah
Hilchot De'ot - The Laws of Personal Development
Hilchot Talmud Torah - The Laws of Torah Study
Hilchot Avodat Kochavim UMazalot V'Chukkot
HaAkum - The Laws [Governing the Prohibition against] the Worship of Stars and Spiritual Forces,and the Statutes of the Idolaters
Hilchot Teshuvah - The Laws of Teshuvah
Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah - The Laws [which are] the Foundations of the Torah
They contain ten mitzvot:
Six positive commandments and four negative commandments.
They are:
1. To know that there is a God
2. Not to consider the thought that there is another
divinity aside from God
3. To unify Him
4. To love Him
5. To fear Him
6. To sanctify His name
7. Not to profane God's name
8. Not to destroy those things associated with His name
9. To listen to a prophet who speaks in [God's] name
10. Not to test God.
Hilchot De'ot
The Laws of Personal Development
They contain eleven mitzvot:
Five positive commandments and six negative com-
mandments.
They are:
1. To emulate His ways
2. To cling to those who know Him
3. To love one's fellow Jews
4. To love the converts
5. Not to hate one's [Jewish] brethren
6. To rebuke
7. Not to embarrass
8. Not to oppress the unfortunate
9. Not to gossip
10. Not to take vengeance
11. Not to bear a grudge.
Hilchot Talmud Torah
The Laws of Torah Study
They contain two mitzvot:
1. To study Torah
2. To honor those who study it and know it.
Hilchot Avodat Kochavim V'Chukkot HaAkum
The Laws of [Governing the Prohibition against]
the Worship of Stars and the Statutes of the
Idolaters
They contain 51 mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and forty nine negative commandments.
They are:
1. Not to show interest in the worship of false gods
2. Not to stray after the thoughts of one's heart or the sights one's eyes behold
3. Not to curse [God]
4. Not to worship [false gods] with the types of service with which they are customarily served
5. Not to bow down to [false gods]
6. Not to make an idol for oneself
7. Not to make an idol even for others
8. Not to make images even for decoration
9. Not to entice others to [worship false gods]
10. To burn an apostate city
11. Never to rebuild it
12. Not to receive benefit from any of its property
13. Not to persuade a single individual to worship [false gods]
14. Not to love a mesit
15. Not to reduce one's hatred for him
16. Not to save his life
17. Not to advance any arguments on his behalf
18. Not to withhold information that will lead to his conviction
19. Not to prophesy in the name of [false gods]
20. Not to listen to anyone who prophesies in the name of [false gods]
21. Not to give false prophecy even in the name of God
22. Not to fear executing a false prophet
23. Not to swear in the name of a false god
24. Not to perform the deeds associated with an ov
25. Not to perform the deeds associated with a yid'oni
26. Not to offer to Molech
27. Not to erect a pillar [for purposes of worship]
28. Not to prostrate oneself on hewn stones
29. Not to plant an asherah
30. To destroy false gods and all their objects of worship
31. Not to benefit from false gods and all their objects of worship
32. Not to benefit from ornaments that have adorned false gods
33. Not to establish a covenant with nations who worship false gods
34. Not to show them favor
35. Not to allow them to settle in our land
36. Not to follow their customs or manner of dress
37. Not to act as a soothsayer
38. Not to practice black magic
39. Not to practice divination
40. Not to cast spells
41. Not to seek information from the dead
42. Not to consult an ov
43. Not to consult a yid'oni
44. Not to practice sorcery
45. Not to shave the temples of our heads
46. Not to shave off the corners of our beards
47. For a man not to wear a woman's apparel
48. For a woman not to wear a man's apparel
49. Not to tattoo [our bodies]
50. Not to make cuts in our flesh
51. Not to tear out hair [in mourning] for the dead.
Hilchot Teshuvah
The Laws of Teshuvah
[They contain] one mitzvah, that a sinner should repent before God from his sin and confess.
Thus, this book contains a total of 75 mitzvot: 16 positive commandments and 59 negative commandments.
Sefer Ahavah
The Book of Love
It contains six halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Kri'at Shema - The Laws of the Recitation of the Shema
Hilchot Tefillah U'Virkat Kohanim - The Laws of Prayer and the Priestly Blessing
Hilchot Tefillin UM'zuzah V'Sefer Torah - The Laws of Tefillin, Mezuzot, and Torah Scrolls
Hilchot Tzitzit - The Laws of Tzitzit
Hilchot Berachot - The Laws of Blessings
Hilchot Milah - The Laws of Circumcision
Hilchot Kri'at Shema
The Laws of the Recitation of the Shema
[They contain] one positive commandment, to recite the Shema twice daily.
Hilchot Tefillah U'Virkat Kohanim
The Laws of Prayer and the Priestly Blessing
They contain two positive commandments:
1. To serve God in prayer each day
2. For the priests to bless the Jews each day.
Hilchot Tefillin UM'zuzah V'Sefer Torah
The Laws of Tefillin, Mezuzot, and Torah Scrolls
They contain five positive commandments. They are:
1. To [place] tefillin on the head
2. To tie them on the arm
3. To affix a mezuzah at the entrance of our gateways
4. For a man to write a Torah scroll for himself
5. For a king to write a second Torah scroll for himself, so that he will have two Torah scrolls.
Hilchot Tzitzit
The Laws of Tzitzit
[They contain] one positive commandment, to tie tzitzit to the fringes of our garments.
Hilchot Berachot
The Laws of Blessings
[They contain] one positive commandment, to bless His name after eating.
Hilchot Milah
The Laws of Circumcision
[They contain] one positive commandment, to circumcise males on the eighth day.
Thus, this book contains a total of eleven positive commandments.
Sefer Zemanim
The Book of Seasons
It contains ten halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Shabbat - The Laws of the Sabbath
Hilchot Eruvin - The Laws of Eruvin
Hilchot Sh'vitat Asor - The Laws of Resting on the Tenth Day [Yom Kippur]
Hilchot Sh'vitat Yom Tov - The Laws of Resting on Holidays
Hilchot Chametz UMatzah - The Laws of Chametz and Matzah
Hilchot Shofar V'Sukkah V'Lulav - The Laws of Shofar, Sukkah, and Lulav
Hilchot Shekalim - The Laws of the [Half-] Shekel Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh - The Laws of the Sanctification of the New Month
Hilchot Ta'aniot - The Laws of Fasts
Hilchot Megillah V'Chanukah - The Laws of the Megillah and of Chanukah
Hilchot Shabbat
The Laws of the Sabbath
They contain five mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and three negative commandments.
They are:
1. To rest on the seventh [day]
2. Not to do work on it
3. [For the court] not to inflict punishment on the Sabbath
4. Not to travel beyond the limits [of one's place] on the Sabbath
5. To sanctify the day by remembering it.
Hilchot Eruvin
The Laws of Eruvin
[They contain] one positive commandment, which is Rabbinic in origin and is not included among [the 613 commandments of the Torah].
Hilchot Sh'vitat Asor
The Laws of Resting on the Tenth Day [Yom Kippur]
They contain three mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and two negative commandments:
1. To rest on this day
2. Not to do work on it
3. To fast on this day
4. Not to eat or drink on it.
Hilchot Sh'vitat Yom Tov
The Laws of Resting on Holidays
They contain twelve mitzvot:
Six positive commandments and six negative commandments.
They are:
1. To rest on the first day of Pesach
2. Not to work on that day
3. To rest on the seventh day of Pesach
4. Not to work on that day
5. To rest on the holiday of Shavuot
6. Not to work on that day
7. To rest on the first day of Rosh HaShanah
8. Not to work on that day
9. To rest on the first day of the festival of Sukkot
10. Not to work on that day
11. To rest on the eighth day of the festival [of Sukkot]
12. Not to work on that day.
Hilchot Chametz UMatzah
The Laws of Chametz and Matzah
They contain eight mitzvot:
Three positive commandments and five negative commandments.
They are:
1. Not to eat chametz on the fourteenth [of Nisan] from noontime onwards
2. To destroy leaven on the fourteenth [of Nisan]
3. Not to eat chametz for all seven days [of Pesach]
4. Not to eat a mixture containing chametz for all [these] seven days
5. For chametz not to be seen [in one's possession] for all [these] seven days
6. For chametz not to be found [in one's possession] for all [these] seven days
7. To eat matzah on the night of Pesach
8. To tell the story of the exodus from Egypt on that night.
Hilchot Shofar V'Sukkah V'Lulav
The Laws of Shofar, Sukkah, and Lulav
They contain three positive commandments: They are:
1. To hear the sounding of the shofar on the first of Tishrei
2. To dwell in a sukkah for the seven days of that festival
3. To take the lulav in the Temple on all the seven days of the festival.
Hilchot Shekalim
The Laws of the [Half-] Shekel
[They contain] one positive commandment, for each man to give a half-shekel each year.
Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh
The Laws of the Sanctification of the New Month
[They contain] one positive commandment, to calculate, know, and appoint the day on which each of the months of the year begin.
Hilchot Ta'aniot
The Laws of Fasts
[They contain] one positive commandment, to fast and call out before God at times of great communal distress.
Hilchot Megillah V'Chanukah
The Laws of the Megillah and of Chanukah
They contain two positive commandments, which are Rabbinic in origin and are not included among [the 613 commandments of the Torah].
Thus, this book contains a total of 35 of the Torah's commandments: 19 positive commandments and 16 negative commandments. It also contains three commandments which are Rabbinic in origin.
Sefer Nashim
The Book of Women
It contains five halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Ishut - The Laws of Marriage
Hilchot Gerushin - The Laws of Divorce
Hilchot Yibbum Va'Chalitzah - The Laws of Yibbum and Chalitzah
Hilchot Na'arah Betulah - The Laws Pertaining to a Virgin Maiden
Hilchot Sotah - The Laws Pertaining to a Sotah
Hilchot Ishut
The Laws of Marriage
They contain four mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and two negative commandments.
They are:
1. To marry a woman with a marriage contract and a marriage ceremony
2. Not to engage in sexual relations with a woman without a marriage contract and a marriage ceremony
3. Not to withhold living expenses, clothing, and conjugal rights [from one's wife]
4. To be fruitful and multiply with her.
Hilchot Gerushin
The Laws of Divorce
They contain two mitzvot:
1. A positive commandment, for a man to divorce [his wife] with a get
2. For a man who divorces his wife not to remarry her after she has married another person.
Hilchot Yibbum Va'Chalitzah
The Laws of Yibbum andChalitzah They contain three mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and one negative commandment.
They are:
1. To perform yibbum
2. To perform chalitzah
3. For a yevamah not to marry another person until she is absolved of her obligation to the yavam.
Hilchot Na'arah Betulah
The Laws Pertaining to a Virgin Maiden
They contain five mitzvot:
Three positive commandments and two negative commandments.
They are:
1. To fine one who seduces a woman
2. For a rapist to marry the woman he rapes
3. For a rapist never to divorce [his wife]
4. For a woman whose husband made defamatory remarks about her to remain married to him forever
5. For a husband who made defamatory remarks about his wife never to divorce her.
Hilchot Sotah
The Laws Pertaining to a Sotah
They contain three mitzvot:
One positive commandment and two negative commandments.
They are:
1. To perform the ritual associated with [the testing of] a Sotah, [a woman who aroused her husband's] jealousy, as prescribed by the Torah
2. Not to place oil on her sacrifice
3. Not to place frankincense on her sacrifice.
Thus, this book contains a total of 17 of the Torah's commandments: nine positive commandments and eight negative commandments.
Sefer Kedushah
The Book of Holiness
It contains three halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah - The Laws of Forbidden Intimate Relations
Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot - The Laws of Forbidden Foods
Hilchot Shechitah - The Laws of Ritual Slaughter.
Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah
The Laws of Forbidden Intimate Relations
They contain 37 mitzvot: One positive commandment, the remainder being negative commandments.
They are:
1. Not to have intimate relations with one's mother
2. Not to have relations with one's father's wife
3. Not to have relations with one's sister
4. Not to have relations with one's father's wife's daughter
5. Not to have relations with one's son's daughter
6. Not to have relations with one's daughter
7. Not to have relations with one's daughter's daughter
8. Not to marry a woman and her daughter
9. Not to marry a woman and her son's daughter
10. Not to marry a woman and her daughter's daughter
11. Not to have relations with one's father's sister
12. Not to have relations with one's mother's sister
13. Not to have relations with one's father's brother's wife
14. Not to have relations with one's son's wife
15. Not to have relations with one's brother's wife
16. Not to have relations with one's wife's sister
17. Not to have relations with an animal
18. For a woman not to have relations with an animal
19. [For a man] not to have relations with another man
20. Not to have relations with one's father
21. Not to have relations with one's father's brother
22. Not to have relations with a married woman
23. Not to have relations with [a woman in the] niddah state
24. Not to marry a gentile
25. For an Ammonite [convert] or a Moabite [convert not to marry, among the Jewish people
26. Not to prevent a third generation Egyptian [convert] from marrying among the Jewish people
27. Not to prevent a third generation Edomite [convert] from marrying among the Jewish people from marrying among the Jewish people
28. Not to allow a mamzer to marry among the Jewish people
29. Not to allow a castrated man to marry among the Jewish people
30. Not to castrate a male, even an animal, beast, or bird
31. For a High Priest not to marry a widow
32. For a High Priest not to have intimate relations with a widow even outside the context of marriage
33. A positive commandment for a High Priest to marry a virgin maiden
34. For a priest not to marry a divorcee
35. [For a priest] not to marry an immoral woman (a zonah)
36. [For a priest] not to marry a chalalah
37. For a man not to be intimate with a woman with whom sexual relations are forbidden, even when no sex is involved.
Hilchot Ma'achalot Asurot
The Laws of Forbidden Foods
They contain 28 mitzvot:
Four positive commandments and 24 negative commandments.
They are:
1. To check the signs [which] differentiate kosher animals and beasts from those which are not kosher
2. To check the signs [which] differentiate kosher fowl from those which are not kosher
3. To check the signs [which] differentiate kosher fish from those which are not kosher
4. To check the signs [which] differentiate kosher locusts from those which are not kosher
5. Not to eat non-kosher animals and beasts
6. Not to eat non-kosher fowl
7. Not to eat non-kosher fish
8. Not to eat flying insects
9. Not to eat insects that breed on land
10. Not to eat anything that creeps on the earth
11. Not to eat worms that breed in produce after they emerge on land
12. Not to eat swarming creatures that breed in water
13. Not to eat carrion
14. Not to derive benefit from an ox that was executed by stoning
15. Not to eat an animal with a mortal affliction (trefah)
16. Not to eat a limb from a living animal
17. Not to consume blood
18. Not to partake of the [hard] fat of a kosher animal
19. Not to eat the displaced sciatic nerve
20. Not to eat meat and milk [together]
21. Not to cook them together
22. Not to eat bread made from newly grown produce [before Pesach]
23. Not to eat roasted grain newly grown produce [before Pesach]
24. Not to eat fresh grain newly grown produce [before Pesach]
25. Not to eat orlah
26. Not to eat mixed species planted in a vineyard
27. Not to eat tevel
28. Not to drink wine used for idolatrous libations.
Hilchot Shechitah
The Laws of Ritual Slaughter
They contain five mitzvot:
Three positive commandments and two negative commandments.
They are:
1. To slaughter an animal, and then to eat it
2. Not to slaughter an animal and its offspring on the same day
3. To cover the blood of [slaughtered] beasts and fowl
4. Not to take a mother [bird] together with its young
5. To send away the mother when taking her with her young.
Thus, this book contains a total of 70 mitzvot: eight positive commandments and 62 negative commandments.
Sefer Hafla'ah
The Book of Utterances
It contains four halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Sh'vuot - The Laws of Oaths
Hilchot Nedarim - The Laws of Vows
Hilchot Nazirut - The Laws of Nazarites
Hilchot Arachin V'Charamim - The Laws of Endowment Evaluations and Devotion Offerings.
Hilchot Sh'vuot
The Laws of Oaths
They contain five mitzvot:
One positive commandment and four negative commandments.
They are:
1. Not to swear in [God's] name falsely
2. Not to take [God's] name in vain
3. Not to deny [having received] an entrusted object
4. Not to swear [falsely] when denying financial obligations
5. To swear truly in [God's] name.
Hilchot Nedarim
The Laws of Vows
They contain three mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and one negative commandment.
They are:
1. To fulfill one's word and observe a vow which one takes
2. Not to violate one's word
3. To nullify a vow or an oath. This is the law of nullifications of vows, as explicitly stated in the Torah.
Hilchot Nazir
The Laws of Nazarites
They contain ten mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and eight negative commandments.
They are:
1. For a nazir to let his hair grow long
2. For a nazir not cut his hair throughout the duration of his vow
3. [For a nazir] not to drink wine or a mixture of wine even after it has become vinegar
4. [For a nazir] not to eat fresh grapes
5. [For a nazir] not to eat raisins
6. [For a nazir] not to eat grape seeds
7. [For a nazir] not to eat grape peels
8. [For a nazir] not to enter the place of a corpse
9. [For a nazir] not to become impure because of a corpse
10. [For a nazir] to shave [his hair] over his sacrifices when he completes his nazirite [vow] or if he becomes impure.
Hilchot Arachin V'Charamim
The Laws of Endowment Valuations and Devo‑
tion Offerings
They contain seven mitzvot:
Five positive commandments and two negative commandments.
They are:
1. To carry out the judgment concerning the endowment valuation of a person, as prescribed by the Torah. These are the laws of the endowment valuations of humans.
2. The laws of the endowment valuations of animals
3. The laws of the endowment valuations of houses
4. The laws of the endowment valuations of fields
5. The laws governing a person who makes a devoted offering of his property
6. For property [given as] a devotion offering not to be sold
7. For property [given as] a devotion offering not to be redeemed.
Thus, this book contains a total of 25 mitzvot: 10 positive commandments and 15 negative commandments.
Sefer Zera'im
The Book of Agricultural [Laws]
It contains seven halachot. They are, in order: Hilchot Kilayim - The Laws of Mixing Forbidden Species
Hilchot Matnot Ani'im - The Laws of the Gifts to be Given to the Poor
Hilchot Terumot - The Laws of Terumah
Hilchot Ma'asrot - The Laws of Tithes
Hilchot Ma'aser Sheni V'Neta Reva'i - The Laws of the Second Tithe and the Produce of the Fourth Year
Hilchot Bikkurim - The Laws of the First Fruits Hilchot Shemitah V'Yovel - The Laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee Years.
Hilchot Kilayim
The Laws of Mixing Forbidden Species
They contain five negative commandments.
They are:
1. Not to sow different species of produce
2. Not to sow grain or vegetables in a vineyard
3. Not to crossbreed different species of animals
4. Not to work with two different species of animals together
5. Not to wear [a garment made] from a forbidden mixture of fabrics.
Hilchot Matnot Ani'im
The Laws of the Gifts to be Given to the Poor
They contain thirteen mitzvot:
Seven positive commandments and six negative commandments.
They are:
1. To leave pe'ah [for the poor]
2. Not to gather the pe'ah
3. To leave leket [for the poor]
4. Not to gather the leket
5. To leave the incompletely formed grape clusters [for the poor]
6. Not to gather the incompletely formed grape clusters
7. To leave individual fallen grapes [for the poor]
8. Not to gather the individual fallen grapes
9. To leave a forgotten sheaf [for the poor]
10. Not to return to take a forgotten sheaf
11. To separate the tithe for the poor
12. To give charity according to one's ability
13. Not to harden one's heart [against giving] to the poor.
Hilchot Terumot
The Laws of Terumah
They contain eight mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and six negative commandments.
They are:
1. To separate the Great Terumah
2. To separate terumah from the tithes
3. Not to separate one of the terumot or tithes before the proper one, but rather to separate all the obligations in order
4. For an unauthorized person not to eat terumah
5. For even a priest's tenant or hired worker not to eat terumah
6. For an uncircumcised person not to eat terumah
7. For a priest who is ritually impure not to eat terumah
8. For a chalalah not to eat terumah or partake of the sacred offerings.
Hilchot Ma'asrot
The Laws of Tithes
[They contain] one mitzvah, to separate the first tithe each year the land is tilled and give it to the Levites.
Hilchot Ma'aser Sheni V'Neta Reva'i
The Laws of the Second Tithe and the Produce
of the Fourth Year
They contain nine mitzvot:
Three positive commandments and six negative commandments.
They are:
1. To separate the second tithe
2. Not to use the proceeds of the second tithe for any human need other than food, drink, or anointing oneself
3. Not to partake of [the second tithe] while ritually impure
4. Not to partake of [the second tithe] while in mourning
5. Not to partake of the second tithe of grain outside of Jerusalem
6. Not to partake of the second tithe of wine outside of Jerusalem
7. Not to partake of the second tithe of olive oil outside of Jerusalem
8. For the entire produce of the fourth year to be consecrated, for it to be eaten in Jerusalem by its owners, conforming in all matters to the laws governing the second tithe
9. To make the declaration associated with the giving of tithes.
Hilchot Bikkurim
The Laws of the First Fruits (and also the
Laws Governing the other Presents Given to
the Priests)
They contain nine mitzvot:
Eight positive commandments and one negative commandment.
They are:
1. To separate the first fruits and bring them to the Temple
2. For a priest not to partake of the first fruits outside of Jerusalem
3. To recite the declaration (associated with the first fruits)
4. To separate challah [and give it] to a priest
5. To give the shankbone, jaw, and maw to a priest
6. To give him the first shearings [of our flocks]
8. To redeem a firstling donkey and give the animal [with which it is] redeemed to the priest
9. To decapitate a firstling donkey if one does not
want to redeem it.
Hilchot Shemitah V'Yovel
The Laws of the Sabbatical and Jubilee Years
They contain 22 mitzvot:
Nine positive commandments and 13 negative commandments.
They are:
1. To allow the land to rest from all [agricultural] work in the seventh year
2. Not to do any [agricultural] work on the land during this year
3. Not to do any [agricultural] work with trees during this year
4. Not to harvest produce that grows on its own in the normal manner
5. Not to harvest the vines in the normal manner
6. To renounce ownership over all of the earth's produce
7. To renounce all debts [owed one]
8. Not to demand payment or seek to collect a debt
9. Not to withholding lending money before the shemitah year, lest one's money be lost
10. To count the years [in cycles of] seven
11. To sanctify the fiftieth [Jubilee] year
12. To blow the shofar on the tenth of Tishrei [of the Jubilee], so that so that the [Hebrew] servants will be released
13. Not to work the land in this year
14. Not to harvest produce that grows on its own in the normal manner
15. Not to harvest the vines in the normal manner
16. To release the land in this year. These are the laws of ancestral property and purchased property
17. For the land not to be sold permanently
18. The laws governing houses in a walled city
19. For the tribe of Levi not to be given an inheritance in Eretz Yisrael. Instead, they are given gifts of cities in which to dwell.
20. For the tribe of Levi not to be given a portion of the spoils [of war]
21. To give the Levites cities in which to dwell and [to give them] open land [around these cities]
22. For these open lands never to be sold [in a permanent manner], but rather for them to be able to be redeemed at all times, both before the Jubilee year and afterwards.
Thus, this book contains a total of 67 mitzvot: 30 positive commandments and 37 negative commandments.
Sefer Avodah
The Book of [the Temple and its] Service
It contains nine halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Beit HaBechirah - The Laws of [God's] Chosen House
Hilchot Klei HaMikdash V'HaOvdim Bo - The Laws [Governing] the Temple Utensils and Those who Serve Within
Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash - The Laws [Governing] Entrance to the Temple
Hilchot Issurei Mizbe'ach - The Laws [Governing Animals] Forbidden [to be Sacrificed on] the Altar
Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot - The Laws of the Sacrificial Procedures
Hilchot Temidim UMusafim - The Laws of Daily and Special Offerings
Hilchot Pesulei HaMukdashim - The Laws of Offerings that have become Unacceptable [for Sacrifice]
Hilchot Avodat Yom HaKippurim - The Laws of the Yom Kippur Service
Hilchot Me'ilah - The Laws of Misuse of Sacred Property.
Hilchot Beit HaBechirah
The Laws of [God's] Chosen House
They contain six mitzvot:
Three positive commandments and three negative commandments.
They are:
1. To build a Temple
2. Not to build the altar with hewn stone
3. Not to ascend [the altar] with steps
4. To fear the Temple
5. To keep watch around the Temple
6. Not to nullify the watch around the Temple.
Hilchot Klei HaMikdash V'HaOvdim Bo
The Laws [Governing] the Temple Utensils and
Those who Serve Within
They contain 14 mitzvot:
Six positive commandments and eight negative commandments.
They are:
1. To make the anointing oil
2. Not to make [other oil] which resembles it
3. Not to pour it on the skin [of an unauthorized person]
4. Not to [mix incense] using the same formula as the incense offering
5. Not to offer anything on the golden altar with the exception of the incense offering
6. To carry the ark on one's shoulders
7. That the ark's staves not be removed from it
8. For the Levites to serve in the Temple
9. That a person appointed to one function in the Temple should not perform a task that was assigned to a different individual
10. To sanctify the priests [in preparation] for [Temple] service
11. For [the members of] all the priestly watches to be given equal opportunity during the festivals
12. To wear the priestly garments when serving [in the Temple]
13. For the [High Priest's] cloak not to be torn
14. For the breastplate not to move from the ephod.
Hilchot Bi'at HaMikdash
The Laws [Governing] Entrance to the Temple
They contain 15 mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and thirteen negative commandments.
They are:
1. For a drunken person not to enter the Temple
2. For a person with overly long hair not to enter [the Temple]
3. For a person with torn garments not to enter [the Temple]
4. For a priest not to enter the Temple building at all times
5. For a priest not to leave the Temple in the midst of service
6. To send away the ritually impure from the Temple
7. For [certain categories of] the ritually impure not to enter the Temple
8. For [certain categories of] the ritually impure not to enter the Temple Mount
9. For one who is ritually impure not to serve [in the Temple]
10. For one who is ritually impure and immersed himself in a mikveh not to serve [in the Temple on the day of his immersion]
11. For a priest serving [in the Temple] to sanctify his hands and feet
12. For a priest with a disqualifying physical blemish not to enter the Temple building or approach the altar
13. For a priest with a disqualifying physical blemish not to serve [in the Temple]
14. For a priest with a disqualifying physical blemish of a temporary nature not to serve [in the Temple]
15. For an unauthorized person not to serve [in the Temple].
Hilchot Issurei Mizbe'ach
The Laws [Governing Animals] Forbidden [to be
Sacrificed on] the Altar
They contain 14 mitzvot:
Four positive commandments and ten negative commandments.
They are:
1. To offer all the sacrifices in an unblemished state
2. Not to dedicate an animal with a disqualifying physical blemish for sacrifice
3. Not to slaughter [an animal with a disqualifying physical blemish as a sacrifice]
4. Not to sprinkle the blood of [an animal with a disqualifying physical blemish]
5. Not to burn the fats of [an animal with a disqualifying physical blemish]
6. Not to sacrifice an animal with a disqualifying physical blemish of a temporary nature
7. Not to sacrifice an animal with a disqualifying physical blemish even when offered by gentiles
8. Not to cause a disqualifying physical blemish in an animal that was consecrated for sacrificial use
9. To redeem an animal [that was set aside for sacrificial use] which possesses a disqualifying physical blemish
10. To sacrifice an animal only after the eighth day. Before that time, it is considered as "lacking [sufficient] time" and cannot be sacrificed.
11. Not to offer as a sacrifice [an animal] given as a prostitute's fee or given in exchange for a dog
12. Not to offer [sacrifices] that contain a leavening agent or a sweetener
13. To salt all sacrifices
14. Not to forget to place salt on any sacrifice.
Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot
The Laws of the Sacrificial Procedures
They contain 23 mitzvot:
Ten positive commandments and thirteen negative commandments.
They are:
I. To offer the burnt offerings in accordance with the procedure stated in the Torah
2. Not to eat the meat of the burnt offerings
3. The procedure for a sin offering
4. Not to eat the meat of those sin offerings [whose blood was brought] inside [the Temple building]
5. Not to cut off the head entirely when slaying a bird brought as a sin offering
6. The procedure for a guilt offering
7. That the priests should eat the meat of the sacrifices of the most sacred order within the Temple
8. That [the meat of these sacrifices] should not be eaten outside the Temple Courtyard
9. That an unauthorized person should not partake of the sacrifices of the most sacred order
10. The procedure for a peace offering
11. Not to eat from the sacrifices of a lesser degree of holiness before the sprinkling of their blood
12. To offer the meal offerings in accordance with the procedure stated in the Torah
13. Not to put oil on a meal offering brought by a sinner
14. Not to put frankincense upon it
15. For a meal offering brought by a priest not to be eaten
16. For a meal offering not to be baked from leaven
17. For the priests to eat the remaining portions of the meal offerings
18. For a person to bring the sacrifices that he pledged to bring and the animals he pledged to offer as sacrifices to be offered, on the first festival that comes
19. Not to delay bringing the sacrifices that one pledged to bring, the animals he pledged to offer as sacrifices, or the other pledges one has taken upon himself
20. To offer all the sacrifices in the Temple
21. To bring sacrifices from the diaspora to the Temple
22. Not to slaughter a sacrifice outside the Temple courtyard
23. Not to offer a sacrifice outside the Temple court-yard.
Hilchot Temidim UMusafim
The Laws of Daily and Special Offerings
They contain 19 mitzvot:
Eighteen positive commandments and one negative commandment.
They are:
1. Two offer two Iambs every day
2. To kindle the fire of the altar every day
3. Not to extinguish [the fire of the altar]
4. To remove the ashes [from the altar] every day
5. To offer the incense offering every day
6. To light the candles [of the Menorah] every day
7. For the High Priest to offer a meal offering every day. It is called Minchat Chavitin.
8. To sacrifice an additional two lambs [as a musaf offering] on the Sabbath
9. To offer the showbread
10. To bring a musaf offering on Rosh Chodesh
11. To bring a musaf offering on Pesach
12. To bring the omer offering which is waved]
13. For every individual to count seven weeks from the day the omar was offered
14. To bring a musaf offering on Shavuot
15. To bring the two loaves [of bread] and the sacrifices which accompany the loaves on Shavuot
16. To bring a musaf offering on Rosh HaShanah
17. To bring a musaf offering on the fast [of Yom Kippur]
18. To bring a musaf offering on the holiday [of Sukkot]
19. To bring a musaf offering on Shemini Atzeret
Hilchot Pesulei HaMukdashim
The Laws of Offerings that have become Unac‑
ceptable [for Sacrifice]
They contain eight mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and six negative commandments.
They are:
1. Not to partake of sacred foods that have become disqualified because of blemishes or due to other reasons
2. Not to eat piggul
3. Not to partake of sacred foods after the time prescribed for their consumption
4. Not to partake of notar [meat from the sacrifices which remains after the time prescribed for their consumption]
5. Not to partake of sacred foods that have become impure
6. For a person who becomes impure not to partake of sacred foods
7. To burn notar
8. To burn sacrificial offerings that have become impure.
Hilchot Avodat Yom HaKippurim
The Laws of the Yom Kippur Service
[They contain] one mitzvah, to perform the service of Yom Kippur, the sacrifices, the confessions, the sending away of the goat, and the other aspects of the service, in accordance with the order prescribed in the parashah of Acharei Mot.
Hilchot Me'ilah
The Laws of Misuse of Sacred Property.
They contain three mitzvot:
One positive commandment and two negative commandments.
They are:
1. For a person who sins by misusing sacred property to make recompense, adding a fifth [of the article's value] and offering a sacrifice. This is the law pertaining to a mo'il.
2. Not to work with animals which were consecrated
3. Not to shear animals which were consecrated.
Thus, this book contains a total of 103 mitzvot: 47 positive commandments and 56 negative commandments.
Sefer Korbanot
The Book of Sacrifices
It contains six halachot. They are, in order: Hilchot Korban Pesach - The Laws of the Paschal Offering
Hilchot Chaggigah - The Laws of the Festive Offering
Hilchot Bechorot - The Laws of the Firstling Animals
Hilchot Shegagot - The Laws of the Offerings [to Atone for] Unintentional Transgression
Hilchot Mechusarei Kapparah - The Laws of [the Offerings brought by] those whose Process of Atonement is Incomplete
Hilchot Temurah - The Laws of [Offerings which were] Substituted [One for Another]
Hilchot Korban Pesach
The Laws of the Paschal Offering
They contain 16 mitzvot:
Four positive commandments and twelve negative commandments.
They are:
1. To slaughter the Paschal sacrifice at its appropriate time
2. Not to slaughter it while in possession of chametz
3. Not to allow the portions burned on the altar to remain overnight
4. To slaughter the second Paschal sacrifice
5. To eat the meat of the Paschal sacrifice together with matzot and bitter herbs on the night of the fifteenth [of Nisan]
6. To eat the meat of the second Paschal sacrifice on the night of the fifteenth of the second month
7. Not to partake [of the Paschal sacrifice] is raw or boiled
8. Not to take the meat of the Paschal sacrifice out of the group [in which it is eaten]
9. Not to allow an apostate to eat from it
10. For a resident alien or a [Jew's] hired worker not to partake of it
11. For an uncircumcised person not to partake of it
12. Not to break a bone of it
13. Not to break a bone in the second Paschal sacrifice
14. Not to allow [the Paschal sacrifice] to remain until the morning
15. Not to allow the second Paschal sacrifice to remain until the morning
16. Not to allow the meat from the festive offering [brought on] the fourteenth [of Nisan] to remain until the morning of the third day.
Hilchot Chaggigah
The Laws of the Festive Offering
They contain six mitzvot:
Four positive commandments and two negative commandments.
They are:
1. To present oneself before God
2. To celebrate on the three pilgrimage festivals
3. To rejoice on the festivals
4. Not to appear [before God] empty-handed
5. Not to abandon the Levi, but rather to have him rejoice and give him the presents due him on the festivals
6. To gather together the people during the Sukkot festival during the year following the shemitah year.
Hilchot Bechorot
The Laws of the Firstling Animals
They contain five mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and three negative commandments.
They are:
1. To separate the firstling animals [as a sacrifice]
2. Not to partake of an unblemished firstling animal outside of Jerusalem
3. Not to redeem a firstling animal
4. To separate the tithes of one's herds
5. Not to redeem the tithes of one's herds
I have included the laws of the tithes of one's herds together with the laws of the firstling animals, because the same procedure is followed with regard to both of them. The Torah also groups the two together in the verse (Numbers 18:17): "And you shall dash their blood...." According to the oral tradition, we learn that this refers to the blood of the tithes and the blood of the firstling animals.
Hilchot Shegagot
The Laws of the Offerings [to Atone for] Unintentional Transgression
They contain five positive commandments. They are:
1. That a person who inadvertently violates a transgression should bring a fixed sin offering
2. That a person who does not know whether or not he violated a transgression should bring a guilt offering unless he discovers that he definitely transgressed, at which time he must bring a sin offering. This [guilt offering] is referred to as "the conditional guilt offering."
3. That a person who commits certain sins should bring a guilt offering [to atone] for their violation. This is referred to as "the definite guilt offering."
4. For a person who commits certain sins to offer [a sacrifice in] atonement. If he is rich, he should offer an animal, if he is poor, a fowl or the tenth of an ephah [of meal]. This is referred to as "the adjustable guilt offering."
5. For the Sanhedrin to offer a sacrifice if they render an erroneous decision regarding one of the serious matters [of Torah law].
Hilchot Mechusarei Kapparah
The Laws of [the Offerings brought by] those
whose Process of Atonement is Incomplete
They contain four positive commandments. They are:
1. For a zavah to offer a sacrifice when she becomes ritually pure
2. For a woman who gives birth to offer a sacrifice when she becomes ritually pure
3. For a zav to offer a sacrifice when he becomes ritually pure
4. For a person afflicted by tzara’at to offer a sacrifice when he becomes ritually pure. :
After the offering of these sacrifices, the process of purification of these individuals is completed.
Hilchot Temurah
The Laws of [Offerings which were] Substituted
[One for Another]
They contain three mitzvot:
One positive commandment and two negative commandments.
They are:
1. Not to substitute [another animal for one designated as a sacrifice]
2. For an animal that was substituted [for one designated as a sacrifice] to be considered consecrated
3. Not to change animals that were consecrated from one category of holiness to another.
Thus, this book contains a total of 39 mitzvot: 20 positive commandments and 19 negative commandments.
Sefer Taharah
The Book of Ritual Purity
It consists of eight halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Tum'at Meit - The Laws of the Ritual Impurity Imparted by a Human Corpse
Hilchot Parah Adumah - The Laws of [the Purification Process Involving] the Red Heifer
Hilchot Tum'at Tzara'at - The Laws of the Ritual Impurity Imparted by Tzara’at
Hilchot Metamei Mishkav UMoshav - The Laws of the [Sources of Ritual Impurity] which Impart Impurity to the Places where One Sits and the Places where One Lies
Hilchot Sh'ar Avot HaTum'ah - The Laws of the Other Categories of Sources of Ritual Impurity
Hilchot Tum'at Ochalin - The Laws of the Ritual Impurity Contracted by Foods
Hilchot Kelim - The Laws of [the Ritual Impurity] Contracted by Vessels
Hilchot Mikvaot - The Laws of Mikvaot
Hilchot Tum'at Meit
The Laws of the Ritual Impurity Imparted by a
Human Corpse
They contain one positive commandment, the laws governing the ritual impurity imparted by a human corpse.
Hilchot Parah Adumah
The Laws of [the Purification Process Involving] the Red Heifer
They contain two positive commandments. They are:
1. The law of the red heifer
2. The laws involving the ritual purity and impurity imparted by the water that is sprinkled [together with the ashes of the red heifer].
Hilchot Tum'at Tzara'at
The Laws of the Ritual Impurity Imparted by
Tzara’at
They contain eight mitzvot:
Six positive commandments and two negative commandments.
They are:
1. To render judgments concerning tzara’at in humans as prescribed by the Torah
2. Not to cut off the signs of tzara’at
3. Not to shave a bald spot
4. That a person afflicted by tzara’at should make known his state of impurity by wearing torn clothing, letting his hair grow long, and covering his head
5. The purification process of a person afflicted by tzara’at
6. That a person afflicted by tzara’at should shave off all his hair as part of his purification process
7. The laws of tzara’at in clothing
8. The laws of tzara’at in houses.
Hilchot Metamei Mishkav UMoshav
The Laws of the [Sources of Ritual Impurity]
which Impart Impurity to the Places where One Sits and the Places where One Lies
They contain four positive commandments. They are:
1. The laws of the impurity of the niddah state
2. The laws of the impurity of a woman after childbirth
3. The laws of the impurity of a zavah
4. The laws of the impurity of a zav
Hilchot Sh'ar Avot HaTum'ah
The Laws of the Other Categories of Sources of
Ritual Impurity
They contain three positive commandments. They are:
1. The laws of the impurity imparted by an animal carcass
2. The laws of the impurity imparted by a the carcass of a crawling animal
3. The laws of the impurity imparted by human semen.
[These halachot also deal with] the ritual impurity imparted by false gods and their accessories. This ritual impurity is equivalent to that imparted by the carcass of a crawling animal; it is a Rabbinic injunction.
Hilchot Tum'at Ochalin
The Laws of the Ritual Impurity Contracted by Foods
They contain one positive commandment, the laws
of the impurity contracted by liquids and foods and
how it is possible for them to regain ritual purity.
Hilchot Kelim
The Laws of [the Ritual Impurity] Contracted
by Vessels
The intent of these laws is to know which vessels can contract the above-mentioned impurities and which do not, and how the vessels contract and impart ritual impurity.
Hilchot Mikvaot
The Laws of Mikvaot
[They contain] one positive commandment, that all those who are impure should immerse themselves in the waters of a mikveh [to] regain impurity afterwards.
Thus, this book contains a total of 20 mitzvot: 18 positive commandments and two negative commandments.
Sefer Nezikin
The Book of Damages
It consists of five halachot. They are, in order: Hilchot Nizkei Mammon - The Laws of Damage to Property
Hilchot Geneivah - The Laws of Theft
Hilchot Gezeilah Va'Avedah -The Laws of Robbery and [the Return of] Lost Object
Hilchot Chovel UMazik - The Laws of [Personal] Injury and Damages [Caused Directly by Human Action]
Hilchot Rotzeach USh'mirat Nefesh - The Laws of Murder and the Protection of Life
Hilchot Nizkei Mammon
The Laws of Damage to Property
They contain four positive commandments. They are:
1. The laws governing [the damages caused by the goring of] an ox
2. The laws governing [the damages caused by] the grazing of animals
3. The laws governing [the damages caused by] an obstruction [in public property]
4. The laws governing [the damages caused by] fire.
Hilchot Geneivah The Laws of Theft
They contain seven mitzvot:
Two positive commandments and five negative commandments.
They are:
1. Not to steal money
2. The laws governing [punishment of] a thief
3. To have proper scales and weights
4. Not to deal unjustly with weights and measures
5. For a person not to possess incorrect weights and measures, even if he does not use them for purchase or sale
6. Not to alter a [colleague's] property marker
7. Not to kidnap.
Hilchot Gezeilah Va'Avedah
The Laws of Robbery and [the Return> of] >Lost Objects
They contain seven mitzvot
Two positive commandments and five negative commandments.
They are:
1. Not to commit robbery
2. Not to wrong [a colleague by withholding his due]
3. Not to covet
4. Not to desire
5. To return a stolen object
6. Not to ignore a lost object
7. To return a lost object.
Hilchot Chovel UMazik
The Laws of [Personal] Injury and Damages
[Caused Directly by Human Action]
[They contain] one positive commandment, the laws governing injury which one person causes another, and damages which one person causes to a colleague's property.
Hilchot Rotzeach USh'mirat Nefesh
The Laws of Murder and the Protection of Life
They contain 17 mitzvot:
Seven positive commandments and ten negative commandments.
They are:
1. Not to murder
2. Not to take a ransom for the life of the murderer
3. To exile one who inadvertently kills another person
4. Not to take a ransom for the person sentenced to exile
5. That the murderer should not be killed before having been given a trial
6. To save a person who is being pursued [even at the expense of] the pursuer's life
7. Not to show any mercy to a pursuer
8. Not to neglect [a person] in mortal danger
9. To set aside cities of refuge and to prepare the road to them
10. To decapitate a calf in a river [in atonement for an unsolved murder]
11. Not to till or sow the land [where this atonement was made]
12. Not to create a dangerous situation
13. To put up a guard rail
14. Not to cause an innocent person to err
15. To unload a person [or his animal] that has fallen on the road
16. To [help him] reload [his animal]
17. Not to leave him distraught with his burden on the road
Thus, this book contains a total of 36 mitzvot: 16 positive commandments and 20 negative commandments.
Sefer Kinyan
The Book of Acquisition [of Property]
It consists of five halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Mechirah - The Laws Governing Sales
Hilchot Zechiyah UMatanah - The Laws Governing the Acquisition of Property and Presents
Hilchot Sh'chenim - The Laws Governing [Relations] with Neighbors
Hilchot Shluchin VShutafin - The Laws of Agents and Partners
Hilchot Avadim - The Laws of Slaves.
Hilchot Mechirah
The Laws Governing Sales
They contain four mitzvot:
One positive commandment and three negative commandments.
They are:
1. The laws of sales and purchases
2. Not to cheat a colleague in a business transaction
3. Not to wrong a person with words
4. Not to wrong a convert financially.
5. Not to wrong him with words.
Hilchot Zechiyah UMatanah
The Laws Governing the Acquisition of Property and Presents
The intent of] these laws is to know how one acquires ownerless property and what [legal] acts are involved, the laws governing the giving and receiving of a present; which present [does not represent a binding commitment and, therefore,] must be returned to its owner, and which [is binding] and need not be returned.
Hilchot Sh'chenim
The Laws Governing [Relations] with Neighbors
The intent of these laws is to know how land is divided between partners, the measures each must take to prevent damage to the other and their neighbors, and the laws governing a person's right to purchase property sold by his neighbor
Hilchot Shluchin V'Shutafin
The Laws of Agents and Partners
The intent of these laws is to know the laws governing the activities of a person's agent, the laws governing partners, and their application with regard to purchases, sales, losses, and profits.
Hilchot Avadim
The Laws of Slaves
They contain 13 mitzvot:
Five positive commandments and eight negative commandments.
They are:
1. The laws governing the purchase of a Hebrew servant
2. That he not be sold in the way a slave is sold
3. That he may not be made to perform rigorous work
4. Not to allow a resident alien to make him perform rigorous work
5. Not to make him perform servile tasks
6. To give him a separation gift when he is released
7. That he should not be released empty-handed
8. To redeem a Hebrew maidservant
9. To designate her as a bride
10. Not to sell her
11. To work with a Canaanite slave forever unless his master destroys one of his primary limbs
12. Not to return a slave who fled from the Diaspora to Eretz Yisrael
13. Not to oppress this slave who has fled to us.
Thus, this book contains a total of 18 mitzvot: six positive commandments and 12 negative commandments.
Sefer Mishpatim
The Book of Judgments
It consists of five halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Sechirut - The Laws of Employer-Employee Relations
Hilcho She'lah UPikadon - The Laws of Borrowed and Entrusted Objects
Hilchot Malveh V'Loveh - The Laws of Lenders and Borrowers
Hilchot To'en V'Nit'an - The Laws Governing [Disputes between] Plaintiffs and Defendants
Hilchot Nachalot - The Laws Governing Inheritances.
Hilchot Sechirut
The Laws of Employer-Employee Relations
They contain seven mitzvot:
three positive commandments and four negative commandments.
They are:
1. The laws governing a hired worker and a paid watchman
2. To pay a worker his wage when due
3. Not to delay payment of a worker's wage after it falls due
4. That a worker be allowed to eat from the produce with which he is working
5. That a worker not eat from this during the time he should be working
6. That a worker should not take more than what he eats
7. Not to muzzle an ox or any other animal while it is treading [grain].
Hilchot She'ilah UPikadon
The Laws of Borrowed and Entrusted Objects They contain two positive commandments. They are:
1. The laws pertaining to a borrower
2. The laws pertaining to an unpaid watchman.
Hilchot Malveh V'Loveh The Laws of Lenders and Borrowers
They contain twelve mitzvot:
Four positive commandments and eight negative commandments.
They are:
1. To lend money to a poor and unfortunate person
2. Not to demand repayment of his debt
3. To demand repayment of a gentile's debt
4. Not to forcefully take security from a debtor
5. To return security to a debtor when he needs it
6. Not to delay returning security to a poor debtor when he needs it
7. Not to take security from a widow
8. Not to take utensils used to prepare food as security
9. Not to give a loan at interest
10. For a borrower not to accept a loan at interest
11. For a person not to render assistance to a lender or a borrower with regard to a loan at interest, for him not to act as a witness or a guarantor, nor to compose a contract of loan
12. To borrow from a gentile and lend to him at interest.
Hilchot To'en V'Nit'an
The Laws Governing [Disputes between] Plaintiffs and Defendants
[They contain] one positive commandment, the laws governing claims [issued by a plaintiff when the defendant] either admits to them or denies them.
Hilchot Nachalot
The Laws Governing Inheritances
[They contain] one positive commandment, the laws governing the order of inheritance.
Thus, this book contains a total of 23 mitzvot: 11 positive commandments and 12 negative commandments.
Sefer Shoftim
The Book of Judges
It consists of five halachot. They are, in order:
Hilchot Sanhedrin V'HaOnshin HaMesurim Lahem - The Laws of the Courts and the Punishments Over which They Have Jurisdiction
Hilchot Edut - The Laws of Witnesses
Hilchot Mamrim - The Laws of the Rebellious Ones
Hilchot Eivel - The Laws of Mourning
Hilchot Melachim UMilchamotehem - The Laws of Kings and Their Wars.
Hilchot Sanhedrin
V'HaOnshin HaMesurim Lahem
The Laws of the Courts and the Punishments
Over which They Have Jurisdiction
They contain 30 mitzvot:
Ten positive commandments and twenty negative commandments.
They are:
1. To appoint judges
2. Not to appoint a judge who does not know the [proper] manner of judgment
3. To follow the majority if there is a difference of opinion among the judges
4. Not to issue a death sentence if there is a majority of only one condemning the defendant. Rather, a majority of at least two is necessary
5. For a person who argued in favor of acquittal in a capital case not to argue for a conviction
6. To execute by stoning [the condemned to death]
7. To execute by burning [the condemned to death]
8. To execute by decapitation
9. To execute by strangulation
10. To hang [the corpses of certain sinners who were executed]
11. To bury the executed person on the day of his execution
12. Not to allow his corpse to remain unburied overnight
13. Not to allow a sorcerer to live
14. To [punish] a sinner with lashes
15. Not to add blows when lashing a sinner
16. Not to kill an innocent person based on an apparent conclusion
17. Not to punish a person forced [to commit a sin]
18. Not to have mercy on a person who killed or injured a colleague
19. Not to have mercy on a poor person in judgment
20. Not to honor a man of stature in judgment
21. Not to pervert judgment against a sinner even though he is [known to be] a transgressor
22. Not to act deceitfully in judgment
23. Not to pervert the justice due converts or orphans
24. To render a righteous judgment
25. For a judge not to fear rendering [a just] judgment because of a powerful person
26. Not to accept a bribe
27. Not to accept a false report
28. Not to curse the judges
29. Not to curse the nasi
30. Not to curse any other Jew of moral repute.
Hilchot Edut
The Laws of Witnesses
They contain eight mitzvot:
Three positive commandments and five negative commandments.
They are:
1. For a person who knows [relevant] testimony to testify in court
2. To question and cross-examine witnesses
3. For a witness not to render a decision in a capital case in which he has testified
4. Not to render a decision based on the testimony of a single witness
5. For a sinner not to act as a witness
6. For a relative not to act as a witness
7. Not to give false testimony
8. To punish a false witness with [the punishment] he plotted [to have the defendant receive]
Hilchot Mamrim
The Laws of the Rebellious Ones
They contain nine mitzvot:
Three positive commandments and six negative commandments.
They are:
1. To follow the instructions given by the High Court
2. Not to deviate from their words
3. Not to add to the Torah, neither to the mitzvot of the Written Law nor to their explanation which was transmitted by the oral tradition
4. Not to detract from the mitzvot
5. Not to curse one's father or mother
6. Not to strike one's father or mother
7. To honor one's father and mother
8. To fear one's father and mother
9. For a son not to rebel against his father's and mother's commands.
Hilchot Eivel
The Laws of Mourning
They contain four mitzvot:
One positive commandment and three negative commandments.
They are:
1. To mourn for our relatives. Even a priest must become impure and mourn for his relatives. A person may not mourn for those executed by the court. Therefore, I have included these laws in this book because they are connected with the burial of a person on the day of his death, which is a positive commandment.
2. For a High Priest not to become impure because of his relatives
3. For him not to enter a place where a corpse is lying
4. For a common priest not to contract impurity from contact with a human corpse, with the exception of his relatives
Hilchot Melachim UMilchamotehem
The Laws of Kings and Their Wars.
They contain 23 mitzvot:
Ten positive commandments and thirteen negative commandments.
They are:
1. To appoint a king over Israel
2. Not to appoint a convert [as a king]
3. [That the king] should not accumulate many wives
4. [That the king] should not accumulate many horses
5. [That the king] should not accumulate much silver and gold
6. To annihilate the seven nations
7. Not to allow any of them to remain alive
8. To wipe out the descendants of Amalek
9. To remember what Amalek did to us
10. Not to forget [Amalek's] wicked deeds and their ambushing [our people] on the journey [to Eretz Yisrael]
11. Not to dwell in Egypt
12. To make an offer of peace to the inhabitants of a city to which we lay siege, and to carry out the Torah's instructions should they sue for peace or not
13. Not to make an offer of peace to Ammon and Moav when we lay siege [to their land]
14. Not to destroy fruit producing trees in the process of a siege
15. To prepare a place outside the army camp where the soldiers can go to defecate
16. [For a soldier] to prepare a shovel with which he can dig [to cover his excrement]
17. To anoint a priest to speak to the soldiers at the time of battle
18. To allow a person who becomes betrothed, builds a house, or plants a vineyard to rejoice in his acquisition for a full year and to be sent back from the army camp
19. Not to call on them for any [public] duties, neither the needs of the community, the needs of the army, nor the like
20. Not to panic and flee in the midst of battle
21. The law of a yefat to'ar
22. Not to sell a yefat to'ar
23. Not to enslave a yefat to'ar after having relations with her
Thus, this book contains a total of 74 mitzvot: 27 positive commandments and 47 negative commandments.
There are a total of 83 halachot in these fourteen books. Now, I will begin to explain the rules governing each mitzvah and the relevant laws that are included with them, according to the order of [these] halachot, with the help of the Almighty.
Mitzvahs & Traditions
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