About Rabbi Jack Abramowitz
Rabbi Jack Abramowitz served as Director of Programs for NCSY before becoming Associate Director of the Pepa and Rabbi Joseph Karasick Department of Synagogue Services. Rabbi Abramowitz holds degrees in Jewish studies, communications and Higher Education Administration. Among his accomplishments, he authored NCSY's Torah on One Foot series of educational pamphlets and created negiah.org, the first abstinence web site for Jewish teens. Rabbi Abramowitz is the author of The Shnayim Mikra Companion on Torah, The Nach Yomi Companion volumes 1 and 2 on the books of the Prophets and the Writings, and The Tzniyus Book.

Recent Posts

Taryag: A Mitzvah a Day

Questions? Contact us at taryag@ou.org

The 14 “Minor” Tractates


There are 14 tractates that were not canonized as part of the Mishnah...

There are 14 tractates that were not canonized as part of the Mishnah. Typically found at the end of Seder Nezikin, these are referred to as the “mesectos katanos” or “minor tractates.” A statement from one of the minor tractates is called a braisa rather than a mishna. The minor tractates are:

1. Avos d’Rabbi Natan – an expansion of the ethical concepts found in Avos; two versions are extant
2. Sofrim – laws of sacred books and the public reading of the Torah
3. Eival Rabbosi, AKA Semachos – laws of funerals and mourning
4. Kallah – sexual matters
5. Derech Eretz Rabbah – forbidden marital relationships, plus good manners and proper behavior
6. Derech Eretz Zuta – moral lessons for scholars and students
7. Perek HaShalom – statements on the importance of peace
8. Sefer Torah – laws of writing a Torah scroll
9. Mezuzah – laws of mezuzos
10. Tefillin – laws of tefillin
11. Tzitzis – laws of tzitzis
12. Avadim – indentured servitude
13. Geirim – the conversion process and the proper treatment of converts
14. Kusim – Samaritans (who were considered like Jews in some respects but like non-Jews in others)

Additionally, there is Talmudic discussion of tractate Kallah. The version of the braisos with this commentary is referred to as “Kallah Rabbosi.”



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