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Mishnah ~ Rabbinic Literature ~ Subject Research Guide
Illuminated letter 'mem' Mishnah
This collection of early Rabbinic legal code was compiled by Judah ha-Nasi in the 2nd century. It is divided into 6 parts called orders. Each order (or seder) is subdivided into sections called tractates (or masechet).

The orders are:

  • Zera'im (seeds) - laws of agriculture
  • Mo'ed (set times) - laws of holidays and Sabbath
  • Nashim (women) - laws of marriage, divorce, and vows
  • Nezikin (damages) - civil and criminal law
  • Kodashim (Holy things) - ritual sacrifice and offerings
  • Tahorot (purities) - laws of ceremonial purity
Finding Mishnah on the shelf

Complete sets of the Mishnah are generally shelved in BM 497. They are shelved in this order: original language (BM 497), selections (BM 497.2), translations (BM 497.5), early works about the Mishnah (BM 497.7), then later works (BM 497.8). Individual orders and tractates of the Mishnah are shelved with individual orders and tractates of the Talmud under BM 506 (see below). Note: many of these works are shelved in the oversized (folio) section.

Finding Mishnah in the catalog

To find texts of the Mishnah do a title browse search for: mishnah <part (order or tractate)> <language>
for example:

  • mishnah avot english
  • mishnah berakhot german
  • mishnah zera'im

To find books written about the Mishnah, do a subject browse search under: mishnah <part>
for example:

  • mishnah avot vi
  • mishna bezah
Finding Mishnah online

Blackman Mishnah at Hebrewbooks.org
Each volume can be read online or downloaded in pdf format
Zeraim, Mo'ed, Nashim, Nezikin, Kodashim, Tahorot

Jewish texts at Snunit
Includes the Hebrew texts of the Tanakh, Mishnah, Tosefta, Talmud Bavli, Talmud Yerushalmi, and Mishneh Torah
http://www1.snunit.k12.il/kodesh/

Bar Ilan Responsa Project
Includes the Hebrew texts of the Tanakh, Talmuds, early commentaries, and many responsa http://www.responsa.co.il/
More options are available to HUC students and faculty by accessing the Responsa Project through the Jewish Studies Portal

Sayings of the Jewish Fathers (Pirqe Aboth)
Translated by Charles Taylor [1897]
http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/sjf/index.htm

While the Library thinks that these sites are useful, their content is not under our control and may express views that are not shared by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

If you have any further questions about finding information on this, or any other topic, ask your local HUC-JIR librarian or email us using the form on the campus library homepage.