The Power of Mishnayos
When someone passes away, it is a Jewish custom to learn Mishnayos (chapters of the Mishna) as a merit for their soul (*l'ilui nishmatam* — for the elevation of their soul). This practice has deep roots in Jewish thought and has become one of the most widespread expressions of communal mourning.
The Linguistic Connection
The most commonly cited reason for this practice is a striking linguistic connection: the Hebrew letters of the word נְשָׁמָה (neshamah — soul) are the same as the letters of the word מִשְׁנָה (Mishnah). Just rearranged.
נְ-שָׁ-מָ-ה = מִ-שְׁ-נָ-ה
This wordplay suggests an intimate connection between the soul of the departed and the study of Mishna — as if by studying Mishna, we are doing something that resonates directly with the soul itself.
What Is the Mishna?
The Mishna is the foundational text of the Oral Torah, compiled by Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi around 200 CE. It is divided into six orders (*sedarim*), which are further divided into tractates (*masechtos*), which are themselves divided into chapters (*perakim*).
- 6 Orders
- 63 Tractates
- 524 Chapters (Perakim)
When a community commits to learning all 524 perakim together, the entire Mishna can be completed by multiple people — each taking responsibility for just a few chapters.
How Communal Mishnayos Works
Traditionally, organizers would write the Mishna divisions on a board and community members would "sign up" for specific tractates or chapters. Today this often happens digitally, through a shared spreadsheet or sign-up sheet:
- Everyone can see all 524 chapters
- Each person enters their name and claims specific chapters
- All names and commitments are visible to everyone
- The group can track how much of Shas has been covered
- Reminders go out near the completion date
When Should Mishnayos Be Completed?
Traditionally, the goal is to complete the learning within the Shloshim (30-day) period. A siyum (completion celebration) is sometimes held at the conclusion of shloshim or at the end of the first year.
How to Participate
If a community Mishnayos sign-up has been organized, you can typically:
- Find the Mishnayos list the organizer has shared
- Add your name (and, if reminders are offered, a way to reach you)
- Take all remaining chapters (if you're able) or select specific ones
- Complete your learning before the date shown
Your commitment — even a single chapter — is an act of love that transcends the physical world.
*תנצב"ה — May their soul be bound in the bond of eternal life.*