Works Enumerating the 613 Commandments

In practice there is no one definitive list that explicates the 613 laws. The differences come about because in some places the Torah lists related laws together, so it is difficult to know whether one is dealing with a single mitzvah which lists several cases, or several separate Mitzvos. Other "commandments" in the Torah are restricted as one-time acts, and would not be considered as "Mitzvos" binding on other persons. In rabbinic literature there are a number of works, mainly by the Rishonim, that were composed to determine which commandments belong in this enumeration. A few of the more prominent ones are:

• Sefer ha-Mitzvos ("Book of the Commandments") by Rabbi Saadia Gaon (4642-4702; 882-942) is the earliest extant enumeration of the 613 mitzvos. Written during the period of the Geonim, the Gaon's work is a simple list, though it was later expanded by Rabbi Yerucham Fishel Perlow. He also recorded how all the Mitzvos are alluded to in The Ten Words.
• Sefer haMitzvos ("Book of the Commandments") by Rambam (4898-4964; 1138-1204), with a critical commentary by Ramban (4954-5029; 1195-1270). Rambam employs a set of fourteen rules (shorashim) which determine inclusion into the list. In this work, he supports his specification of each Mitzvah through quotations from the midrash halakha and the Gemara. Ramban makes a number of critical points and replaces some items of the list with others.
• Sefer ha-Chinuch ("Book of Education"). This work generally follows Rambam's reckoning of the 613 commandments. It is written in the order in which the commandments appear in the Torah rather than an arrangement by category (as in Rambam's work). Sefer HaChinuch’s discussion of each commandment consists of five components:
  1. definition of the commandment;
  2. a brief discussion of some of the fundamental laws included in the commandment;
  3. an explanation of the reason for the commandment;
  4. a list of the general areas of discussion related to the commandment and the location of the Talmudic discussion of these areas; and
  5. a summary for each commandment: to whom the commandment applies, when it applies, and the consequences for its violation.
  It has been attributed to various authors, most commonly Rabbi Aaron ha-Levi of Barcelona (the Ra'ah) (4995-5050; 1235–1290), though its true authorship is unknown.
• Sefer Mitzvos Gadol (סמ"ג "Large book of Commandments") authored by Rabbi Moshe ben Jacob of Coucy (?-5020; ?-1260). He only lists Mitzvos explicitly stated in the Torah.
• Sefer haMitzvos haKatan (סמ"ק "Small book of Commandments") authored by Rabbi Isaac of Corbeil (?-5040; ?-1280). This work was written in the form of a poem, divided into seven sections and intended to be read each week. While Isaac's work is fairly short, most editions contain lengthy commentaries.
• Sefer Yere'im ("Book of the [G-d-] fearing") by Rabbi Eliezer of Metz (?-1175) (not a clear enumeration.)
• Sefer haMitzvos by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (the "Chafetz Chaim"). The Chafetz Chaim's work follows the reckoning of Rambam but gives only the commandments relevant today (ignoring commandments regarding temple service, ritual purity, etc.) The original included only those commandments relevant in all places and at all times, later editions also included agricultural laws relevant today only in the land of Israel.