Description
The Mishnah is the primary book of oral law, and of great importance in our history. What is special about this particular commentary is its use of accumulated knowledge and its integration of a research method with a traditional approach to the text. The sources are primarily rabbinic literature throughout the ages, early commentaries and familiarity with the historical background that underpins rabbinic literature. The Mishnah was written against the backdrop of the land of Israel and the social and economic circumstances facing the people and their leaders. Today we have tools that allow the reconstruction of the social background of the Mishnah, and thus the ability to better understand the world of halakhic minutae. The Mishnah was a cornerstone in building the halakhah in all its fullness, and today, when we have been privileged to return to Israel and to explore it, we also have the duty to review our understanding of the Mishnah.
Masechtot Moed Katan and Hagiga
Moed Katan deals with the laws of Chol Hamoed, and is a prime example of the rabbis’ preoccupation with detail that can be explained only by a knowledge of the peoples’ daily life and business. Hagiga, on the other hand, deals with the laws of the Temple, sacrifices, pilgrimage, laws of purity, and portrays how the Temple operated. At the heart of the tractate is a discussion about the different parts of the Torah and its relationship to Kabbalah.
The volume includes substantive appendices on pilgrimage practices, the sages’ attitude to early “Kabbalah”, and the status of women as seen in various tractates in Moed. This volume also contains an index to the entire Order of Moed.