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.

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The 63 Tractates of Shas - part I


The laws transmitted orally from Sinai were organized by Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi into six orders containing 63 tractates, called “mesechtos” in Hebrew.

The laws transmitted orally from Sinai were organized by Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi into six orders containing 63 tractates, called “mesechtos” in Hebrew. (“Shas” is an acronym for “Shisha Sedarim”—the Six Orders.) These are:

I. Seder Zeraim (The Order of Seeds)—laws of agriculture
Brachos*—blessings and prayers
Peah—the corner of a field
Demai—doubtfully-tithed produce
Kilayim—forbidden mixtures
Sheviis—the Sabbatical year
Terumah—the portion given to the kohein
Maaseros—tithes
Maaser Sheini—the second tithe
Challah—the portion of dough
Orlah—the fruit of the first three years
Bikkurim—first fruits


II. Seder Moed (The Order of Festivals)—laws of Sabbath and holidays
Shabbos*—the Sabbath
Eiruvin*—carrying and travel on Shabbos
Pesachim*—Passover
Shekalim—the half-shekel coin
Yoma*—Yom Kippur, the day of atonement
Succah*—Succos, the feast of Tabernacles
Beitza*—Yom Tov
Rosh Hashana*—the Jewish new year
Taanis*—fasts
Megillah*—Purim
Moed Katan*—chol hamoed, the intermediate days of a Festival
Chagigah*—the pilgrimage

III. Seder Nashim (The Order of Women)—laws of marital relationships
Yevamos*—levirate marriage
Kesubos*—marriage contracts
Nedarim*—vows
Nazir*—the nazirite
Sotah*—the suspected wife
Gittin*—divorce
Kiddushin*—marriages

Continued next week.

*37 of these mesechtos have gemaras in the Babylonian Talmud. These are marked with an asterisk above



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