Mishneh Torah of the Rambam
Mishneh Torah (also known as 'the Yad HaChazaka') is the great work of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, and is a halachic sefer encompassing all the laws of the Torah, including those not practiced today. The sefer is divided into eighty-three topics ("halachos") in fourteen books.
The Rebbe established a daily study schedule in the sefer with the goal of uniting Am Yisroel in the study of Torah SheBaal Peh.
Structure of the Sefer
The sefer consists of fourteen parts, and each part is divided into "Halachos", the Halachos are divided into chapters, and each chapter is divided into "small halachos" (called "halachos").
At the beginning of the sefer, the Rambam wrote an introduction in which he writes about the order of transmission of the mesorah, the need for the sefer, a list of positive and negative mitzvos, and the titles of the books and halachos.
Content of the Sefer
Sefer HaMada (ספר המדע):
- Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah
- Hilchot Deot
- Hilchot Talmud Torah
- Hilchot Avodah Zarah
- Hilchot Teshuvah
Sefer Ahavah (ספר אהבה):
- Hilchot Keriyat Shema
- Hilchot Tefillah
- Hilchot Tefillin
- Hilchot Mezuzah
- Hilchot Sefer Torah
- Hilchot Tzitzit
- Hilchot Berachot
- Hilchot Milah
Sefer Zmanim (ספר זמנים):
- Hilchot Shabbat
- Hilchot Eruvin
- Hilchot Shevitat Asor
- Hilchot Yom Tov
- Hilchot Chametz U'Matzah
- Hilchot Shofar, Sukkah, V'Lulav
- Hilchot Shekalim
- Hilchot Kiddush HaChodesh
- Hilchot Taaniyot
- Hilchot Megillah V'Chanukah
Sefer Nashim (ספר נשים):
- Hilchot Ishut
- Hilchot Girushin
- Hilchot Yibum V'Chalitzah
- Hilchot Na'arah Betulah
- Hilchot Sotah
Sefer Kedushah (ספר קדושה):
- Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah
- Hilchot Maachalot Asurot
- Hilchot Shechitah
Sefer HaPlayah (ספר הפלאה):
- Hilchot Shevuot
- Hilchot Nedarim
- Hilchot Nezirut
- Hilchot Arachin V'Charamim
Sefer Zera'im (ספר זרעים):
- Hilchot Kilayim
- Hilchot Mattanot Aniyim
- Hilchot Terumot
- Hilchot Ma'asrot
- Hilchot Ma'aser Sheni V'Neta Revai
- Hilchot Bikurim
- Hilchot Shemittah V'Yovel
Sefer Avodah (ספר עבודה):
- Hilchot Beit HaBechirah
- Hilchot Kli HaMikdash
- Hilchot Biat HaMikdash
- Hilchot Issurei Mizbeach
- Hilchot Ma'aseh HaKorbanot
- Hilchot Tamidim U'Musafin
- Hilchot Pesulei HaMukdashim
- Hilchot Avodah B'Yom HaKippurim
- Hilchot Me'ilah
Sefer Korbanot (ספר קרבנות):
- Hilchot Korban Pesach
- Hilchot Chagigah
- Hilchot Bechorot
- Hilchot Shegagot
- Hilchot Mechusei Kaparah
- Hilchot Temurah
Sefer Taharah (ספר טהרה):
- Hilchot Tumat Met
- Hilchot Parah Adumah
- Hilchot Tumat Tzara'at
- Hilchot Mitamei Mishkav U'Moshav
- Hilchot She'ar Avot HaTumah
- Hilchot Tumat Ochlin
- Hilchot Kelim
- Hilchot Mikvaot
Sefer Nezikin (ספר נזיקין):
- Hilchot Nezeki Mammon
- Hilchot Geneivah
- Hilchot Gezeilah V'Aveidah
- Hilchot Chovel U'Mazik
- Hilchot Rotzeach V'Shmirat Nefesh
Sefer Kinyan (ספר קניין):
- Hilchot Mechirah
- Hilchot Zechiyah U'Matanah
- Hilchot Shechanim
- Hilchot Shelichin V'Shutafin
- Hilchot Avadim
Sefer Mishpatim (ספר משפטים):
- Hilchot Sechirut
- Hilchot She'eilah U'Pikadon
- Hilchot Loveh V'Malveh
- Hilchot Toehn V'Nitan
- Hilchot Nechalot
Sefer Shoftim (ספר שופטים):
- Hilchot Sanhedrin
- Hilchot Edut
- Hilchot Mamrim
- Hilchot Avel
- Hilchot Melachim U'Milchamoteihem
Its Name
The name of the sefer, Mishneh Torah, was established because it includes the entire Torah SheBaal Peh.
The Raavad and other gedolei Yisroel were concerned about the name of the sefer, from which it appears to be second to the Torah.
For this reason, the additional name of the sefer - the Yad HaChazaka - is more commonly used, referring to the fourteen books included in it, and like the name of the last pasuk in the Torah "and for all the strong hand and all the great awe that Moshe did before the eyes of all Yisroel."
Its Purpose
In the introduction to the work, the Rambam explains the purpose of writing the sefer:
"And in this time additional troubles have increased, and the hour has pressed everyone, and the wisdom of our Sages has been lost, and the understanding of our wise men has been hidden; therefore those interpretations and responses and laws that the Geonim composed, and saw that they were clear matters, have become difficult in our days, and only few in number properly understand their matters... Therefore I girded my loins, I Moses the son of Maimon the Sephardi... and I saw fit to compose clear matters from all these works, regarding what is forbidden and permitted and pure and impure with other laws of the Torah: all in clear language and brief way, until the entire Torah SheBaal Peh will be arranged in everyone's mouth, without question and without solution, and not this one saying thus and this one saying thus, but clear matters close and correct..."
Its Style
The Rambam wrote the sefer in the style of the Mishnah. This style is expressed in several aspects:
A. The order of the Mishnah, as sections, halachos chapters and small halachos.
B. The language of the Mishnah, as he writes in his introduction: "And I saw fit not to compose it in the language of the holy writings... also not in the language of the Talmud... but to compose it in the language of the Mishnah."
C. Not relying on any other sefer, and without citing sources.
Its Sources
The Rambam did not cite his sources in his sefer, but brought only decided halacha.
Opposition to the Sefer
After the sefer was published, several opponents arose, with one of the main arguments of the critics being the fact that the Rambam did not cite the sources on which he relied.
The opponents also feared that the sefer would lead to cessation of Talmud study, because the Rambam writes the final ruling without the give and take that preceded them. Claims also arose about the Rambam bringing only his opinion, without referring to different opinions or rulings that had taken root in different Jewish communities.
Many opponents arose to Sefer HaMada, because of the involvement in matters of faith, which was not accepted then.
Contemporary Editions
Rambam La'am
Rambam La'am is the common edition of the Rambam, published by Mosad HaRav Kook.
The edition is fully vowelized, with commentary in popular style and references to the Rambam's sources.
The Rebbe most often uses this edition.
Kapach Edition
Rabbi Yosef Kapach's edition is composed from ancient Yemenite manuscripts, and is considered one of the accurate editions, since according to them it includes the Rambam's corrections in the later editions of his sefer.
The edition was newly translated by Rabbi Kapach, and includes commentaries on the Rambam's words from Rabbi Kapach and from ancient manuscripts.
The Rebbe greatly encouraged the publication of this edition, and some of the seforim are even dedicated to the Rebbe.
Frankel Edition
Distinguished by comparison to old editions and correction of errors caused by censorship. Includes an index to Mishneh Torah, sources for the Rambam's words and collection of commentaries. Much criticism arose because they omitted many commentators including the Rebbe's explanations. As a result, many Chabad chassidim avoid using this edition.
The Takanas Limud HaRambam
At the farbrengen of Acharon shel Pesach 5744, the Rebbe initiated daily study of Rambam to unite all Jews in learning the entire Torah SheBaal Peh.
Three study cycles were established:
- Three chapters daily - completing Mishneh Torah in eleven months
- One chapter daily - completing in two years and ten months
- Sefer HaMitzvos - parallel to three chapters track
Books on Mishneh Torah
Marei Mekomos
On 15th of Av 5744 the Rebbe instructed the Kollel Avreichim to publish a reference work on the Yad. Published after two weeks with over 950 pages. Later supplemented with six additional volumes.
Yein Malchus
Collection of the Rebbe's sichos on the Rambam, first published in 5751 in two volumes, later in 5776 in three volumes by Kehot Publication Society.
Hadranim on Shas and Rambam
Contains the Rebbe's Hadranim connected to Rambam completions since 5745, published by Kehot.
Klalei Rambam
Collection of study principles based on the Rebbe's sichos.