(lit. "Cleannesses"). Sixth and last Order of the Mishnah. Its 12 tractates (Kelim, Ohalot, Nega'Im, Parah, Tohorot, Mikva'Ot, Niddah, Makhshirin, Zavim, Tevul Yom, Yadayim, and Uktsin) deal with the susceptibility, transmission, and purification of ritual uncleanness. In the course of the Order, four general categories of uncleanness are mentioned: 1) associated with human issues, menstruation, and childbirth; 2) transmitted by food and drink; 3) associated with disease (leprosy); 4) transmitted by a corpse or carrion (see Purity). Since the destruction of the Second Temple, most of these laws have been inoperative. Only the tractate Niddah is expanded upon in the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud.
The name is also given to the fifth tractate of the Order. Its ten chapters deal with the rules of the lesser degrees of ritual uncleanness which take effect only until sunset of the day they are contracted (cf. Lev. 11:34). The Mishnah discusses the uncleanness transmitted by the carrion of birds and cattle, uncleanness regarding food and drink, the persons engaged in preparation and consumption of the food, and the vessels which contain the food. Also mentioned are cases of doubtful uncleanness. The title, Tohorot, is euphemistic, as the contents deal with impurity. However, as Maimonides states, the Mishnah speaks in a "clean language" and furthermore instructs one how to purify oneself. The subject is amplified in the Tosefta but not in the Talmuds.
