Rambam's Sefer Hamitzvot is Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon's listing of the 613 commandments contained within the Torah. The first half of his book details the guidelines he used in determining which commandments make the 613.
The number 613 itself is a little interesting in that it is derived from a Ma'amar Chazal (a saying of our Rabbis) based on a pasuk (verse) in Devarim Perek 33:4. Here, the pasuk tells us "Moshe commanded us the Torah". In Tractate Makot 23b, after Rabi Simlai states that there are 613 commandments in the Torah, Rav Hamnuna supports this by taking the numerical equivalent of the word "Torah" (611) and saying that the remaining two were heard from Hashem directly.
Learning this exposition of the commandments is something that intrigues me and interests me. This is by no means a translation, nor is it approved by any Halachic, or Jewish means, rather an adventure in Harbatzat Torah (increasing Torah learning). Nevertheless, I'll try my hardest to remain true to the text, and I welcome your comments and corrections. Please let me know what you think, and I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
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