-
Jan 1, 1135
RAMBAM
The Rambam was born in Spain on the 14th of NIssan. He is the author of the Mishnah Torah. His father and youger brother went to Morocco after leaving Spain from persecution. He moved to Alexandria, Egypt in 1165 and later moved to Old Cairo for the rest of his life. He practiced medicine throughout his lilfe to support his family as well as his brother's family. Rambam died on the 20th of Tevet, 1204 and he was buried in Tiberias. -
Jan 1, 1170
Mishneh Torah
Authored by Rabbi Moshe Maimon and compiled from 1170 to 1180 while he was living in Egypt. Mishneh Torah means "Repitition of the Torah" and it is subtitled "Sefer Yad HaChazaka" (Book of the Strong Hand). The Mishenh Torah is a work of Halachot and consists of fourteen books devided into sections, chapter, and paragraphs. It is the only Jewish Medieval-era work which contains detailed laws of observance including laws for the Beit Hamikdash. -
Jan 1, 1542
BEIT YOSEF
By Rav Caro, the Beit Yosef is a commentary on the Arba'ah Turim (TUR). The Beit Yosef was a precursor to Rav Caro's most famous work: the Shulchan Aruch. Beit Yosef means "House of Joseph". Rav Caros started writing the Beit Yosef in 1522 and finished in 1542. It was published in the 1550's. 32 authorities are discussed in the Beit Yosef and Rav Caro stated that one can not just accept the laws of ancient authorities although there is much respect for them. The S.A. includes the Beit Yosef. -
Jan 1, 1563
SHULCHAN ARUCH
Shulchan Aruch means "Set Table". Shulcan Aruch is known as the Code of Jewish Law and it is the most authorative book in Judaism. By Rabbi Joseph Caro in 1563, it was published in Venice a couple years later. The Shulchan Aruch follows Sephardic laws and customs. Rav Isserles comments on the side of the Shulchan Aruch for Ashkenaz Jews. The Shulchan Aruch is now published with both Rav Isserles's commentary and Rav Caro's work. -
Turei Zahav
Rabbi David ben Samuel Hallevi (TAZ) was a Ukranian scholar who lived in Eastern-European communities before moving to Poland. He wrote commentaries on all four sections of the Shulchan Aruch but only Orach Chayim and Yoreh Dayah were initially printed. The Turei Zahav means "columns of gold". -
MAGEN AVRAHAM
The Magen Avraham or Rabbi Avraham Gombiner was born in Kalisz, Poland. Magen Avraham means "Shield of Avraham". Rabbi Gombiner compromised rulings between Rabbi Caro and Rabbi Isserles but if there was no compromise, he would go with Rav Isserles. -
Shach
Published by Rabbi Shabbatai Ha-Kohen in Cracow in 1646, it is often called the "Siftei Kohen". It is a commentary on the Shulchan Aruch and the Yoreh De'ah. His commentary has been published in most editions of the Yoreh De'ah. Many Talmudists considered this commentary as the highest authority and it was often used as the final word of law. He was first among the Talmudic scholars in his time. This also comments on the Chosen Mishpat. Rabbi Kohen was originally from Vilna but fled to Moravia. -
VILNA GAON
The Vilna Gaon's real name is Rabbi Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman. Rabbi Zalman was known as an authority of Talmud by the time he was twenty. He had a photographic memory and studied day and night. Addtionally, he added works to math, geography, and science. He withdrew himself from the public and was payed by his community so he could fully focus on studying. He commented on the Shulchan Aruch and didn't publish much of his work. His students would publish in his name. He was from Vilna, Lithania. -
KITZUR SHULCHAN ARUCH
Written by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch is a book of laws which have no sources. He intended his work to be used by laymen so he did not cite sources. The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch has been updated over a period of time. It was written CIRCA 1830. -
ARUCH HASHULCHAN
THe Shulchan Aruch was written by Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein. It restates material in the Shulchan Aruch and goes thruoght it by chapter. It was created to clarify and organize the teachings of the Shulchan Aruch and is very compact with commentaries on its side. Rabbi Epstein was a young Lithanian who was chosen to be the Rav of Novyzikov. -
MISHNAH BERURAH
The Mishnah Berurah was published in 1876. It is 6 volumes with other commentaries and comments on the Orach Chayim. The Orach Chayim is the first section of the Shulchan Aruch which deals with prayers, synogogue, Shabbat, and holidays. It was written by Rabbi Meir Kagan AKA the Chofetz Chayim.
