Synopsis of Jewish History Part 10

TWELFTH--HAGIGAH, OR FESTIVAL OFFERINGS. This section specifies the laws relating to the offerings made on the different festivals; the description of the persons; how they are to be qualified, and in what manner they are to appear before the Lord on the three great festivals in every year, when all the Israelites that possibly could, were expected to be in attendance at the holy city of Jerusalem.

The third general head, or cla.s.s, is called Nosheem, or women. This is subdivided into seven sections.

FIRST--YEVOMOUS, OR MARRIAGE.--This section is so called, as it treats of the laws by which one brother is expected to marry the relict of his deceased brother. It shows how, and when, the obligation shall take place; the duties and the ceremonies to be observed at the performance of the same.

SECOND--KESUVOUS, OR DOc.u.mENTS.--This speaks of the laws relating to marriage contracts, and dowries, and of estates, whether real or personal, which may fall to some married women; how the same shall be disposed of, by, or allotted to, the said party or parties.

THIRD--NEDOREEM, OR VOWS.--This treats of such vows which, when made, become binding, and by what persons such vows shall be made; how vows are considered null and void, since the husband has the power of confirming or annulling the vows of his wife. This law is very particularly specified, as to how such may be done; and the cla.s.s of vows which fall under the control of the husband, and those which do not.

FOURTH--NOZEER, OR NAZARITE.--This section treats of those laws which guide the different cla.s.ses of Nazarites who take upon themselves the vows of abstinence.

FIFTH--SOTAH, OR TO TURN ASIDE.--This treats of the enactments relating to trials occasioned through jealousy between man and wife; the nature of the punishment inflicted on the woman, if it be proved that she had been guilty of the crime of adultery.

SIXTH--GITTEN, OR LETTER OF DIVORCE.--This treats of the laws of divorce. It explains when, and under what circ.u.mstances, a divorce may be granted. It directs also all the formulae to be used and observed in all cases of divorce.

SEVENTH--KEDUSHEEN, OR BETROTHING.--This treats of the laws, customs, and ceremony of betrothing; the forms, rites, and regulations to be observed at the solemnization of the marriage according to the laws of Moses and Israel.

The fourth general head, or cla.s.s, is called Nezeekeen, or Damages.

This cla.s.s is divided into eight sections; the first of which is again subdivided into three separate sections, as follow.

FIRST--BOVOH KAMMA, OR FIRST GATE.--This first section treats of all such damages, which may be recovered for injuries done, either by man or beast.

SECOND--BOVOH MEZIAH, OR MIDDLE GATE.--This treats of the laws of usury. It explains what is, and what is not, considered an act of usury. It speaks also on matters of special trust; of letting or hire, and such like transactions between man and man.

THIRD--BOVOH BOSROH, OR LAST GATE.--This treats of the laws relating to commerce, copartnership, buying and selling; also, the laws of inheritance, and the right of succession.

The above three sections are called by the Talmud and Mishna, gates, because, in the East, the courts of law were held within the gates of the city.

SECOND--SANHEDREEN, OR SENATE.--This speaks of the great senate, as also of the minor courts of judicature; of the causes for trial, and the nature of the punishment inflicted for the several crimes; the four kinds of death, as the penalty for capital offenses. It describes, also, very minutely, the mode to be adopted by the Judges in the examination of witnesses.

THIRD--MACCOUS, OR PUNISHMENT.--This portion treats more especially of that which may const.i.tute false testimony, or inadmissible evidence; the laws relative to the forty stripes inflicted on the delinquent; the reason why the rabbins directed that only thirty-nine stripes should be inflicted instead of forty, as stated in the bible; also, the manner in which the said punishment should be administered. It relates, likewise, the regulations to be observed by such persons who were compelled to seek shelter in the cities of refuge.

FOURTH--SHEVUNGOUS, OR OATHS.--This section explains the laws to be observed in the administration of an oath; in what cases an oath shall or shall not be submitted to the contending parties; who shall or who shall not be considered qualified to take the oath.

FIFTH--ADOYOUS, TESTIMONIES OR EVIDENCES. This treats of the decisions of the many important cases, collected from the evidence and testimony of the most eminent and learned rabbins and doctors of the great Sanhedrin of olden times.

SIXTH--AVOUDOH ZOROH, OR IDOLATRY.--This section is so called, as it treats of all manner of idolatry. It is also ent.i.tled the "_the worship of the planets_." It explains the manner and form of the different modes of worship, as practised by the idolatrous nations, with the view of preventing the Israelite from becoming contaminated by them.

SEVENTH--OVOUS, OR FATHERS.--This section contains the history of those holy fathers who, in their respective ages, successively received by tradition the oral law; from the days of Moses, the great lawgiver, down to the period when it was compiled and committed to writing by the celebrated rabbinu Hakodesh. It contains, also, many of the wise sayings, aphorisms, and moral maxims of the learned men, and is therefore called the "Ethics of the fathers."

EIGHTH--HOUROYOUS, OR PRECEPTS.--This section is so called, because it treats of the punishment and penalty to be inflicted on those who should presumptuously act against, or teach anything in opposition to, the decrees and decisions of the great Sanhedrin at Jerusalem.

The fifth general head, or cla.s.s, is called Kodosheem, or holy things.

It is subdivided into eleven sections.

FIRST--ZEVOCHEEM, OR SACRIFICES.--This section treats of the order to be observed in offering up the cattle for sacrifices, and points out their nature and quality. It also relates the time and the place; and specifies by whom they were to be killed and brought up as an offering upon the altar of the Lord.

SECOND--MINOCHOUS, OR MEAT OFFERINGS.--This portion treats of the oblations of oil, flour, and wine, proper for each offering; and of the two waive loaves, which were to be made of fine flour, such as were offered up, on the festival of pentecost.

THIRD--CHOOLIN, OR PROFANE.--This section points out that which is clean, and that which is unclean; what may and what may not be lawfully eaten; and the law which prohibits the killing of the dam and its young, both in one day. It also shows the law prohibiting the eating of the "sinew which shrank;" and the law forbidding the taking of the dam with its young. It, moreover, embraces the laws appertaining to the killing of cattle and fowl for domestic use; and who may, and who may not, be permitted to kill the animals for food to be eaten by Israelites.

FOURTH--BECHOUROUS, OR FIRST BORN.--This section treats of the laws relating to the first born of both man and cattle; pointing out in what manner, and at which period, they were to be redeemed, either with money, or brought up as an offering to the Lord. It speaks also of the t.i.thes of all manner of cattle.

FIFTH--EYRACHIN, OR VALUATION, OR ESTIMATION.--This section treats of the manner in which things devoted to the Almighty are valued, so that they may be redeemed and applied to ordinary purposes; as also how the priest shall value a field, devoted or sacrificed to the Lord by its owner.

SIXTH--TEMUROH, OR EXCHANGE.--This portion explains how far it may be lawful to exchange one sacred thing for another; as, whether an animal which had been consecrated as an offering to be sacrificed to the Lord might be exchanged. In most cases, where an animal had been consecrated to the Lord, and then exchanged, both the animal and its subst.i.tute became sacred.

SEVENTH--KERISUS, OR EXCISIONS.--This section relates to offenses which, if wantonly committed, were punished by the offender being cut off from among the people, called _Kohrice_. It points out, at the same time, what offenders were liable to this punishment. It likewise explains how those who had offended through accident, had to bring a sin or trespa.s.s offering.

EIGHTH--MENGELOH, OR TRESPa.s.s.--This portion treats of the nature of the trespa.s.s made by converting such things which have been consecrated and devoted to holy purposes, to profane or unholy matters.

NINTH--TOMEED, OR CONTINUAL OFFERINGS.--Herein are specified the daily sacrifices, and the description as to how, and in what manner, they were to be offered upon the altar of the Lord.

TENTH--MIDDOUS, OR DIMENSIONS.--This book is so called, because it speaks of the dimensions and proportions of the temple. It describes the mount on which the temple stood, and the full extent of the outer court. This was considered requisite to be known; for whoever had become unclean, from any circ.u.mstance whatever, was prohibited from entering the temple on pain of excision.

ELEVENTH--KONEEM, OR NESTS.--This section speaks of the birds, such as pigeons or turtle-doves, which were brought as offerings by the poor, instead of the more expensive, which they were unable to bring. The smaller value was equally acceptable to the G.o.d of mercy and kindness.

The sixth general head, or cla.s.s, is ent.i.tled Taharous, or purifications. It is divided into twelve sections.

FIRST--KYLEEM, OR VESSELS, UTENSILS.--This book is so called, because it treats of the pollutions incident to vessels, and how they are to be purified from such uncleanness. It treats also of the manner in which garments of every description may be purified, in the event of their becoming polluted or defiled by uncleanness of any kind.

SECOND--OHOLOUS, OR TENTS.--This section treats of the manner in which houses become polluted; the nature of such pollutions; and how far those who enter such dwellings may thereby become contaminated, and how they may be purified.

THIRD--NEGOIM, OR PLAGUES, OR DISEASES.--This book explains all the laws relative to the plague of leprosy; whether on man or beast, dwellings or garments. It shows how and in what manner infection took place; and how the things or persons so afflicted may become purified.

FOURTH--POROH, OR HEIFER.--This section speaks of the laws relating to the red heifer; how the said heifer should be burned to ashes, in order to make the water for purification; and in what manner all defilements, contracted by the touch or contact of a dead body, could be purified by means of the ashes of the red heifer.

FIFTH--TAHAROUS, OR PURIFICATIONS.--This portion treats of all those laws pertaining to such defilements which may be contracted otherwise than by the touch of a dead body; and of the manner purification may, and can take place.

SIXTH--MIKVOOUS, OR BATHS.--This section treats of the laws and regulations for baths to be used for purification by ablutions; of all persons who may have from any cause whatever become unclean. Herein is also specified the manner in which the bath should be constructed, and the quant.i.ty of water required for every ablution.

SEVENTH--NIDDOH, OR SEPARATION.--This portion explains all the laws relating to the pollutions and purifications of women after child-birth, and on every occasion of uncleanness.

EIGHTH--MACHSHEREEN.--This section explains in what manner seed or fruit became susceptible of defilement or pollution through the admixture of liquids.

NINTH--ZOBEEM, OR ISSUES.--This portion treats of the laws relating to the impurities arising from the issues of the body; and points out how and when they are deemed unclean; and how and in what manner either persons or things may become affected by their pollution.

TENTH--TIBBUL YOUM, OR PURIFICATION OF A DAY.--This portion speaks of persons who may become unclean, and require ablution to purify them; which purification cannot be considered complete until the setting of the sun on the same day when the purification shall take place.

ELEVENTH--YODOYEEM, OR HANDS.--This section treats of the laws and regulations for cleansing the hands from any uncleanness; and the custom and ceremony to be observed in washing the hands on the different occasions.

TWELFTH--UKTSEEM, OR STALKS.--This last section is so called, because it explains how the touching of the stalks of any sort of fruit may convey pollution to the fruit itself.

SYNOPSIS OF THE FOREGOING MISHNA.

No. 1.--Seder Zeroeem contains 11 sections.

No. 2.--Seder Moed contains 12 sections.

No. 3.--Seder Nosheem contains 7 sections.