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Period: Sep 9, 1135 to Sep 9, 1204
Rambam
He was born in Spain on the 14th of NIssan and author of the Mishnah Torah. After 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. There, he practiced medicine throughout his lilfe in hopes to support his family, as well as his brother's. Rambam died on the 20th of Tevet, 1204 and he was buried in Tiberias. -
Period: Sep 9, 1170 to Sep 9, 1180
Mishneh Torah
Compiled from 1170-1180 by Rabbi Moshe Mimon. The mishna Torah itself means the "repitition of the Torah" and is subtitled, in english, "Book of the Strong hand". The Mishna Berurah consists of 14 books, each cut up into typical sections, chapters, and paragraphs. It is the only jewish book of it time to include detailed laws of observance, which includes those of the Beit Hamikdash/ -
Period: Sep 9, 1522 to Sep 9, 1542
Beit Yosef
Even though Rabbi Yosef Caro finished his work in 1542, the Beit Yosef was no published until 1550's. The Beit Yosef is a precursor and commentary on his most famous work; The Shulchan Aruch. The title in itself means the "House of Joseph." 32 authoraties are discussed through out the Beit Yosef. One of Caros most famous quotes in this book was that even though there is much respect for the Ancient authoraties, we cannot just accept their judgement because they are respected. -
Sep 9, 1563
Shulchan Aruch
Writen sometime around 1563 and then published a few years later, the Shulcan Aruch is known as the greatest Code of Jewish Law and it is the most authorative book in Judaism. the Shulchan Aruch in itself means the "Set Table" The Shulchan Aruch follows Sephardic laws and customs although, Rav Isserles comments on the side of the Shulchan Aruch forthe sake of the Ashkenaz Jews. The Shulchan Aruch is now published with both Rav Isserles's commentary and Rav Caro's work. -
Turei Zahav
Written by Rabbi David ben Samuel Hallevi. Rabbi David ben Samuel Hallevi, also known as the TAZ, was a Ukranian scholar who lived in Eastern-Europe 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 (aka Rabbi Avraham Gombiner) was born in Kalisz, Poland. Magen Avraham means "Shield of Avraham". Rabbi Gombiner compromised rulings between Rabbi Caro and Rabbi Isserles. However, often times the two would disagree, and when they did the Magen Avraham went with the opinion of 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. -
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The Vilna Goan
Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman Kremer, known as the Vilna Gaon or Elijah of Vilna and simply by his Hebrew acronym Gra or Elijah Ben Solomon, was a Talmudist, halachist, kabbalist, and the foremost leader of non-hasidic Jewry of the past few centuries.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. -
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
Written by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried, the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch is a book of laws which did not include sources because he intended his work to be used by laymen The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch has been updated over a period of time. It was written CIRCA 1830. For the most part, it was very popular due to its easy-to-understand kanguage and sold out many times. It is still in use today. -
Aruch Hashulchan
Written by Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein. Rabbi Epstein was a young Lithanian who was chosen to be the Rav of Novyzikov. It restates material in the Shulchan Aruch in order to clarify and give a deeper understanding of it to its readers. As well ass clearer language, the commentaries on the side were very abrupt and concise. -
Mishna Berurah
The Mishnah Berurah was published in 1876. It is 6 volumes 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. So, pretty much the entire book gives us a deeper look into the teachings of the Orach Chayim and gives us somewhat more modern examples and situations.