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

1. Brachos*—blessings and prayers

2. Peah—the corner of a field

3. Demai—doubtfully-tithed produce

4. Kilayim—forbidden mixtures

5. Sheviis—the Sabbatical year

6. Terumah—the portion given to the kohein

7. Maaseros—tithes

8. Maaser Sheini—the second tithe

9. Challah—the portion of dough

10. Orlah—the fruit of the first three years

11. Bikkurim—first fruits

II. Seder Moed (The Order of Festivals)—laws of Sabbath and holidays

12. Shabbos*—the Sabbath

13. Eiruvin*—carrying and travel on Shabbos

14. Pesachim*—Passover

15. Shekalim—the half-shekel coin

16. Yoma*—Yom Kippur, the day of atonement

17. Succah*—Succos, the feast of Tabernacles

18. Beitza*—Yom Tov

19. Rosh Hashana*—the Jewish new year

20. Taanis*—fasts

21. Megillah*—Purim

22. Moed Katan*—chol hamoed, the intermediate days of a Festival

23. Chagigah*—the pilgrimage

III. Seder Nashim (The Order of Women)—laws of marital relationships

24. Yevamos*—levirate marriage

25. Kesubos*—marriage contracts

26. Nedarim*—vows

27. Nazir*—the nazirite

28. Sotah*—the suspected wife

29. Gittin*—divorce

30. Kiddushin*—marriages

Continued...

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