Choshen Mishpat facts for kids

Choshen Mishpat is a Hebrew phrase that means "Breastplate of Judgment." It's a very important part of Jewish law, which is called halakha. Think of it as a big rulebook that helps Jewish people live their lives according to their traditions.

This term, Choshen Mishpat, is most famous for being one of the four main sections in a huge collection of Jewish laws called Arba'ah Turim. This book was put together by a wise Rabbi named Jacob ben Asher a long, long time ago.

What is Choshen Mishpat About?

Choshen Mishpat focuses on Jewish laws that deal with everyday life, especially when people interact with each other. It covers topics like:

• Money and Business: This includes rules about buying, selling, and how to handle money fairly.
• Hurting Others: It talks about what happens if someone accidentally or on purpose harms another person or their property. These are often called "torts" in modern law.
• Solving Problems: This section explains how Jewish courts, called batei din, work. It covers how to present a case, how judges make decisions, and how to make sure everyone gets a fair hearing.
• Loans and Interest: It has rules about lending money and whether you can charge extra money (interest) when someone borrows from you.

Why is Choshen Mishpat Important?

The way Rabbi Jacob ben Asher organized the Arba'ah Turim, including the Choshen Mishpat section, became a very popular way to structure Jewish law. Later, another famous Rabbi named Yosef Karo used this exact same structure when he wrote his own important book of Jewish law, called the Shulkhan Arukh.

Many other Jewish scholars and teachers after them also used this framework. So, when people talk about "Choshen Mishpat" today, they might be talking about that specific section in Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's book, or they might be talking about the general area of Jewish law that deals with finance, justice, and legal matters. It's a key part of understanding how Jewish communities have managed their legal and financial dealings for centuries.

Other Sections of Jewish Law

The Arba'ah Turim and other works that followed its organization have three other main sections besides Choshen Mishpat. These sections cover different areas of Jewish life:

• Orach Chayim: Laws about daily prayers, holidays, and Shabbat.
• Yoreh De'ah: Laws about dietary rules (kosher), blessings, and mourning.
• Even HaEzer: Laws about marriage, divorce, and family life.

See also

In Spanish: Joshen Mishpat para niños