or Misnah, the code or collection of the civil law of the Jews. The Jews pretend, that when God gave the written law to Moses, he gave him also another not written, which was preserved by tradition among the doctors of the synagogue, till rabbi Judah, surnamed the Holy, seeing the danger they were in, through their dispersion, of departing from the traditions of their fathers, judged it proper to reduce them to writing.

The misnah is divided in six parts: the first relates to the distinction of seeds in a field, to trees, fruits, tythes, &c. The second regulates the manner of observing festivals; the third treats of women, and matrimonial cases; the fourth of losses in trade, &c.; the fifth is on obligations, sacrifices, &c.; and the sixth treats of the several sorts of purification.