Mekhilta - Structure

Structure

The Mekhilta begins with Ex. xii, this being the first legal section found in Exodus. That this is the beginning of the Mekhilta is shown by the Aruk s.v. טמא, and by the Seder Tannaim v'Amoraim (ed. S.D. Luzzatto, p. 12, Prague 1839). In like manner R. Nissim proves in his Mafteach (to Shab. 106b) that the conclusion of the Mekhilta which he knew corresponded with that of the Mekhilta now extant. In printed editions the Mekhilta is divided into nine "massektot," each of which is further subdivided into "parshiyyot". The nine massektot are as follows:

  1. "Massekta de-Pesah", covering the pericope "Bo" (quoted as "Bo"), Ex. xii.1–xiii.16, and containing an introduction, "petikta," and 18 sections.
  2. "Massekta de-Vayehi "Beshalach" (quoted as "Besh."), ib., xiii.17–xiv.31, containing an introduction and 6 sections.
  3. "Massekta de-Shirah," (quoted as "Shir"), ib., xv.1–21, containing 10 sections.
  4. "Massekta de-Vayassah," (quoted as "Vay."), ib., xv.22–xvii.7, containing 6 sections.
  5. "Massekta de-Amalek", consisting of two parts:
    1. the part dealing with Amalek (quoted as "Am."), ib., xvii.8–16, containing 2 sections.
    2. the beginning of the pericope "Yitro" (quoted as "Yitro"), ib., xviii.1–27, containing 2 sections.
  6. "Massekta de-Bahodesh," (quoted as "Bah."), ib., xix.1–20, 26, containing 11 sections.
  7. "Massekta de-Nezikin," ib., xxi.1–xxii.23. (see next)
  8. "Massekta de-Kaspa," ib., xxii.24–xxiii.19; these last two messektot, which belong to the pericope "Mishpatim" contain 20 sections consecutively numbered, and are quoted as "Mish."
  9. "Massekta de-Shabbeta", containing 2 sections:
    1. covering the pericope "Ki Tisa" (quoted as "Ki"), ib., xxxi.12–17
    2. covering the pericope "Vayakhel" (quoted as "Vayak"), ib., xxxv.1–3

The Mekhilta comprises altogether 77, or, if the two introductions be included, 79 sections. All the editions, however, state at the end that there are 82 sections (comp. I.H. Weiss l.c. p. 28; M. Friedmann, l.c. pp. 78–80).

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