Mitzvot Project

Mishna Torah

Sep 5, 1170

The Mishna Torah is a book of halachas. Its author is the Rambam. It explains the Oral Law and is divided into 14 parts.

Tur

Sep 5, 1270

Its author is Yaakov ben Asher. The Tur is made up of 4 parts. It is a book on halachik code.

Beit Yosef

Sep 5, 1275

Its author is Rabbi Yosef Caro. It is simply just a commentary on the Arbaah Turim

Shulchan Aruch

Sep 5, 1563

This is the most trusted and followed legal book of Jewish code. Its author is Rabbi Yosef Caro. It is the most widely accepted book. Like the Tur, it also is made up of four parts.

Taz

Sep 5, 1586

Its author is David Halevi Segal. It is considered more authoritative than the Shach, but later lost its popularity.

Shach

Sep 5, 1622

Its author is Rabbi Shabtai Hakohen. he was born in Vilna and was a very wise man followed by many. it was published by Yoreh Deah. Unlike many people in his time, he had a very different view on Talmudic law.

Magen Avraham

Sep 5, 1635

His real name is Avraham Abele Gombiner. he was a rabbi in Poland. He is named after a book he wrote called the Magen Avraham which was commentary on the Orach Chayim.

Vilna Gaon

Sep 5, 1720

His real name is Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman Kremer. He is also known as the Gra. He is one of the greatest rabbis in history. He wrote the Vilna Gaon.

Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

Sep 5, 1804

Its author is Shlomo Ganzfried. It is a summary of the SHulchan Aruch by Yosef Caro. He would base his views off of three rabbis and would only follow it if at least two agreed.

Aruch Hashulchan

Sep 5, 1829

It is a summary of the SHulchan Aruch. Its author is Rabbi Yichiel Michel Epstein. It is just a chapter by chapter summary and includes commentary.

Mishna Berura

Sep 5, 1838

Its author is Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan. He is also known as the CHofetz Chayim. This is a commentary on the Orach Chaim, which is the first section of the Shulchan Aruch.