Sefer ha-Chinuch
Sefer ha-Chinuch (
.History
The work's enumeration of the commandments (Hebrew: mitzvot; sing. mitzvah) is based upon Maimonides' system of counting as per his Sefer Hamitzvot; each is listed according to its appearance in the weekly Torah portion and the work is structured correspondingly.[1]
The book separately discusses each of the 613 commandments, both from a legal and a moral perspective. For each, the Chinuch's discussion starts by linking the mitzvah to its Biblical source, and then addresses the philosophical underpinnings of the commandment (here, termed the "shoresh", or "root"). Following this, the Chinuch presents a brief overview of the halakha (practical Jewish law) governing its observance - usually based on Maimonides' Mishneh Torah - and closes with a summary as to the commandment's applicability.
Because of this structure, the work remains popular to this day. The philosophic portions are widely quoted and taught, while the legal discussion provides the basis for much further study in
Authorship
The sixteenth century author
See also
- Sefer Mitzvot Gadol
- Sefer Mitzvot Katan
References
- ^ Prior to the Frankfurt edition of 1783 the mitzvot were printed in the same order as Maimonides' work - see Gersion Appel Ch 2.
- Chaim Dov Chavel, Mosad HaRav Kook ed. of Sefer HaChinuch, 5762 p. 797
- ^ Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Aaron ha-Levi of Barcelona". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
- ^ Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Aaron ben Joseph ha-Levi". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
- ^ Parshat Nitzavim-Vayelech 5764 - OU Torah Insights Project Archived 2012-09-07 at archive.today
- ^ Israel Ta-Shma, "Mehabbero ha-'amitti shel Sefer ha-hinnukh," Kiryat Sefer 55 (1980): 787-90
Further reading
- Translation: The Book of Mitzvah Education. Charles Wengrow. Feldheim 1992. ISBN 1-58330-383-9
- Discussion: A Philosophy of Mitzvot. Gersion Appel. Ktav 1975. ISBN 0-87068-250-4
- Classes: A Study of the 613 Mitvot and their Meanings in our Lives. Rabbi David Botton. teachittome.com