The Mishneh Torah ( Torah Reiteration) or Yad ha-Chazaka (Strong Hand)
is a the first code of Jewish law, written by
Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon,
(Moses Maimonides, or Rambam), between the years of 1170-1180 CE.Mishneh
Torah consists of fourteen volumes. This is the only work that
comprises all of Jewish observance as dictated by Torah, thereby
including laws which would be in effect if the Holy Temple was built
and functioned.
Book 1, Madda' (Knowledge)
discusses Jewish principles of faith,
the concept of God, the concept of Torah study and understanding, as
well as open-mindedness, and the prohibition against idolatry.
Book 2, Ahavah (Love), teaches laws that are in
effect at all times, akin to the love of God, who is to be remembered
continually by the obligation to pray and to put on tefillin.
Book 3, Zemanim (Times), teaches laws which have a time limit, such as the laws of Sabbath and the Jewish holidays.
Book 4, Nashim (Women), teaches laws of marriage, divorce, and conduct between the sexes.Book
5, Kedushah (Holiness), teaches one to be holy, by abstaining from
forbidden sexual relations, and forbidden foods; the book also
discusses the method of ritual slaughter.
Book 6, Hafla'ah (Separation), discusses the laws of vows and oaths, the
acts which may separate one from the rest of the customs of the
community.
Book 7, Zera'im (Seeds) discusses agricultural laws.
Book 8, Avodah (Divine Service), teaches the laws of the Holy Temple.
Book 9, Korbanot (Offerings), teaches laws of offerings in the Temple.
Book 10, Tohorah (Cleanness) teaches the rules of ritual purity.
Book 11, Nezikin (Injuries) is a
compilation of criminal and tort laws.
Book 12, Kinyan (Acquisition) is a compilation of laws governing purchasing.
Book 13, Mishpatim (Rights) is a compilation of civil laws.
Book 14, Shofetim (Judges) is a compilation of the laws governing
legislators, the Supreme Jewish Court (Sanhedrin), the king, and the
judges.
Mishneh Torah contains a number of
commentaries, the most prominent of which are by Raavad (Rabbi Abraham
Ben David of Posquieres, France, lived in the 12-th Century CE),
Rambam’s critical opponent, and which are prominently inset into the
corresponding locations of Rambam’s text.
Other commentaries are Kesef Mishneh by Yosef Caro; Mishneh la-Melech, Lechem
Mishneh, Radvaz and Hagahot Maimoni (which discusses Ashkenazi
customs). Many of the commentators aim to resolve criticisms of Raavad,
and to find Rambam’s sources to their corresponding locations in the
Talmud, Midrash and the works of other authorities considered.
Later codes of Jewish law, e.g. Arba'ah Turim and Shulkhan Arukh rely
significantly on Mishneh Torah, and both often quote it word for word.
Mishneh Torah was purposefully written in a clear Hebrew, and not in the
Talmudic Aramaic, which was used only by those who were regularly
engaged in the study of Talmud. Thus, Mishneh Torah is a smooth to
read, easy to understand legal work.