ZERA'IM

(Hebrew: Seeds), the first of the six major divisions, or orders (sedarim), of the Mishna (codification of Jewish oral laws), which was completed early in the 3rd century AD by Judah ha-Nasi. Zera'im contains 11 tractates (treatises), the first of which (Berakhot, Blessings) deals with public worship and private prayer. The other 10 tractates all deal with laws regarding agriculture and are called: Pe'a (Corner), Demai (Dubiously Tithed Produce), Kilayim (Mixed Kinds), Shevi'it (Seventh Year), Terumot (Heave Offerings), Ma'aserot (Tithes), Ma'aser sheni (Second Tithe), Halla (Dough Offering), 'Orla (Uncircumcisionapplied to restricted fruit), and Bikkurim (Firstfruits). The Palestinian Talmud has Gemara (critical commentaries) on all 11 tractates of Zera'im, but the Babylonian Talmud has Gemara only on Berakhot.