A masekhet (Hebrew: מַסֶּכֶת, Sephardic: /mɑːˈsɛxɛt/, Ashkenazic: /mɑːˈsɛxɛs/; plural masekhtot מַסֶּכְתּוֹת) is an organizational element of Talmudic literature that systematically examines a subject, referred to as a tractate in English.
The word masechet (מַּסָּכֶת) appears in the Hebrew Bible denoting web or texture (Judges 16:13–14).
It also refers to a work of in-depth examination of a topic comprising discussions, research and conclusions.
It refers in particular to the sections of the Mishnah, Tosefta, Beraita, and Gemara of the Babylonian and Yerushalaim Talmuds.
They contain diverse subjects such as Aggadah including folklore, historical anecdotes, moral exhortations, practical advice in various spheres, laws and customs pertaining to death and mourning, engagement, marriage and co-habitation, deportment, manners and behavior, maxims urging self-examination and modesty, the ways of peace between people, regulations for writing Torah scrolls and the Mezuzah, Tefillin and for making Tzitzit, as well as conversion to Judaism.