Sepher Ha’chinuch.

The purpose of the Chinuch, is a pedagogic one, to ellucidate the precepts derived from each weekly portion. The author adopted a table-format of the precepts, elaborated by Maimonides, and re-arranged it to accord with the chapters of the Bible where the precepts are found. The Chinuch e explains the manner of derivation of each individual precept, the ethical reason for its performance and above all, it defines the application of the precept to life. Waxman points out the significance of the Sepher Ha’chinuch in the Codification Literature. While not a code itself, the broad statement of each precept, its definintion and description helped codifiers in arriving at a decision in each case. See M. Waxman, Vol. II p.137.