Mishna Sdura Institute

Mishna Sdura Institute is an Israeli publishing house founded in 1992 by Rabbi Eliyahu Dordek. It produces editions of the Mishna (the foundational text of the Oral Torah) using a distinctive layout that breaks the text into short lines according to context, allowing learners to read it almost like poetry and to grasp each mishna as a single unit. The edition typically includes the concise commentary "Kav Venaki" by Rabbi Elisha ben Avraham of Hordena, and in some editions the commentary of Rabbi Ovadia of Bartenura. The books are printed in various sizes, from pocket editions to A4. Over decades, Mishna Sdura has become a popular study tool, especially in Haredi educational institutions that use the Zilberman and "Zichru" methods, where it serves as the primary text for Mishna study over three to five years. The institute has expanded into digital tools, including iPad apps (2013), the "Khati" app integrating Mishna Sdura layout with the Kehati commentary (2017), and the "Shanen Li" app for memorization (2019). It also offers educational services such as lectures and pedagogical support for teachers. The institute is known for its mission to make Mishna study accessible and memorable for all learners.

Mishna Sdura Institute was founded in 1992 (Hebrew year 5752) by Rabbi Eliyahu Dordek, who published the first edition of the Mishna Sdura that year. The core innovation was a new layout for the Mishna: instead of the traditional block text, the Mishna was divided into short lines according to context, allowing learners to read it as poetry and to see each mishna as a single unit. This design was intended to facilitate understanding and memorization almost without the need for commentary. The edition included the concise commentary "Kav Venaki" by Rabbi Elisha ben Avraham of Hordena, first printed in 1797, chosen for its brevity and focus on explaining unfamiliar words. In 2013 (Hebrew year 5773), a new edition was released with the commentary of Rabbi Ovadia of Bartenura in a new, corrected design, replacing "Kav Venaki" in that edition. Also in 2013, two iPad applications of Mishna Sdura were launched on the Apple App Store: one with the full Mishna Sdura version with Kav Venaki, and one with the Bartenura commentary, including tools for oral study. In 2017 (Hebrew year 5777), an update to the "Kehati" app was released on Google Play, developed by programmer Ariel Weitzberg, integrating the Mishna Sdura layout with the Mishna or chapter. Later that year, Weitzberg added professional narration of the Mishna Sdura text by Zvi Florental, as well as narration of the Kehati commentary, recorded at the Central Library for the Blind and Reading Disabled. In 2019 (Hebrew year 5779), the "Shanen Li" app was launched on the App Store, a personal assistant for reading, literacy, and memory. Its beta version included all of Pirkei Avot in Mishna Sdura format, line-by-line narration, and the ability to test the user, with rich feedback in color and sound. Over the years, Mishna Sdura editions have sold tens of thousands of copies and became the primary study text in certain educational institutions, especially in the Haredi sector using the Zilberman and "Zichru" methods, where students study Mishna for three to five years. The institute also offers lectures and pedagogical support for teachers, and continues to develop digital tools to aid memorization.

• 2019

  The Shanen Li app for memorization is launched on the App Store.

• 2017

  An update to the Kehati app integrating Mishna Sdura layout is released on Google Play.

• 2017

  Professional narration of the Mishna Sdura text and Kehati commentary is added to the Kehati app.

• 2013

  A new edition with the commentary of Rabbi Ovadia of Bartenura is released, replacing Kav Venaki.

• 2013

  Two iPad applications of Mishna Sdura are launched on the Apple App Store.

• 1992

  Rabbi Eliyahu Dordek publishes the first edition of Mishna Sdura.

A publisher and educational initiative dedicated to making Mishna study accessible, understandable, and memorable through innovative layout and digital tools.

• Mishna Sdura book series

  Editions of the Mishna with a unique line-by-line layout, including commentary Kav Venaki or Bartenura.

• Shanen Li app

  A personal assistant app for reading, literacy, and memorization of Mishna, launched in 2019.

• Kehati app

  An app integrating Mishna Sdura layout with the Kehati commentary, with narration.

• Mishna Sdura flashcards

  Flashcards for studying Mishna, such as for Tractate Berakhot and Pirkei Avot.

1. 1Official websitemishnasdura.org.il
2. 2About pagemishnasdura.org.il
3. 3Lectures pagemishnasdura.org.il
4. 4Pedagogical support pagemishnasdura.org.il
5. 5Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6Hebrew Wikipediahe.wikipedia.org