Shulchan Aruch HaRav
Encyclopedia
The Shulchan Aruch HaRav (Hebrew
שולחן ערוך הרב: "Code of Jewish Law
by the Rabbi"; also Shulkhan Arukh HaRav) is a codification of halakha
by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi
, known during his lifetime as HaRav
("The Rabbi"). Following his passing, he has been alternately referred to as the Alter Rebbe (Yiddish
: Old Rebbe) in Chabad
Hasidic circles, or as the "Baal HaTanya" (Author of the Tanya
) more broadly, for his other main work.
to recodify the Shulchan Aruch
of Yosef Karo
- incorporating commentaries on that work, as well as subsequent responsa
- so that laymen would be able to study Jewish law
. Shneur Zalman was qualified for this challenging task. His phenomenal familiarity with Rabbinic literature was complemented by a gift for lucid exposition. His logical and highly trained mind could not tolerate ambiguity or obscurity. The work thus states the decided
halakha
, as well as the underlying reasoning.
The Maggid of Mezeritch, the second leader of Hasidism, recognised the abilities of the young Schneur Zalman in mastery of both the legal Talmudic aspects of Torah study
, and the mystical. Among the "Chevra Kadisha" (Holy Society) of elite disciples in Mezeritch, Schneur Zalman was affectionately known as "the Litvak
" for his analytical mind. After the passing of DovBer, Schneur Zalman was appointed to spread Hasidism in White Russia
, adjacent to the Lithuanian stronghold of Mitnagdic opposition. In the academy of Mezeritch, it is related that he would study Torah in chavrusa
(parnership) with Rabbi Avrohom HaMalach
("The Angel"), son of DovBer. He would guide Rabbi Avraham in Talmudic scholarship, and the Malach would teach him Hasidic philosophy.
as their basis for daily practice. The work is broadly considered an authoritative halachic text, and its rulings are frequently cited by later authorities such as Yisrael Meir Kagan
in his Mishnah Berurah
and the Ben Ish Chai
of Yosef Chaim of Baghdad. Shulchan Aruch HaRav is also one of the three works on which Shlomo Ganzfried
based his rulings
in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
, the well-known precis of Jewish law
.
Although widely accepted, the work was originally limited in printings. Much of the original text was destroyed in a fire in Lubavitch, and only parts of copies of the draft survived. Kehot Publication Society
(2002) has recently begun publication of a Bilingual Edition; in this work notations appear whenever Shneur Zalman's rulings are at variance with those in Yosef Karo's Shulchan Aruch.
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
שולחן ערוך הרב: "Code of Jewish Law
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
by the Rabbi"; also Shulkhan Arukh HaRav) is a codification of halakha
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi
Shneur Zalman of Liadi
Shneur Zalman of Liadi , also known as the Baal HaTanya, , was an Orthodox Rabbi, and the founder and first Rebbe of Chabad, a branch of Hasidic Judaism, then based in Liadi, Imperial Russia...
, known during his lifetime as HaRav
Rav
Rav is the Hebrew word for rabbi. For a more nuanced discussion see semicha. The term is also frequently used by Orthodox Jews to refer to one's own rabbi....
("The Rabbi"). Following his passing, he has been alternately referred to as the Alter Rebbe (Yiddish
Yiddish language
Yiddish is a High German language of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, spoken throughout the world. It developed as a fusion of German dialects with Hebrew, Aramaic, Slavic languages and traces of Romance languages...
: Old Rebbe) in Chabad
Chabad
Chabad or Chabad-Lubavitch is a major branch of Hasidic Judaism.Chabad may also refer to:*Chabad-Strashelye, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism*Chabad-Kapust or Kapust, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism...
Hasidic circles, or as the "Baal HaTanya" (Author of the Tanya
Tanya
The Tanya is an early work of Hasidic philosophy, by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad Hasidism, first published in 1797. Its formal title is Likkutei Amarim , but is more commonly known by its opening word, Tanya, which means "it was taught in a beraita"...
) more broadly, for his other main work.
New version of the Shulchan Aruch
At a young age, Shneur Zalman was asked by his teacher, Dovber of MezeritchDovber of Mezeritch
Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezeritch was a disciple of Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidic Judaism, and was chosen as his successor to lead the early movement...
to recodify the Shulchan Aruch
Shulchan Aruch
The Shulchan Aruch also known as the Code of Jewish Law, is the most authoritative legal code of Judaism. It was authored in Safed, Israel, by Yosef Karo in 1563 and published in Venice two years later...
of Yosef Karo
Yosef Karo
Joseph ben Ephraim Karo, also spelled Yosef Caro, or Qaro, was author of the last great codification of Jewish law, the Shulchan Aruch, which is still authoritative for all Jews pertaining to their respective communities...
- incorporating commentaries on that work, as well as subsequent responsa
Responsa
Responsa comprise a body of written decisions and rulings given by legal scholars in response to questions addressed to them.-In the Roman Empire:Roman law recognised responsa prudentium, i.e...
- so that laymen would be able to study Jewish law
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
. Shneur Zalman was qualified for this challenging task. His phenomenal familiarity with Rabbinic literature was complemented by a gift for lucid exposition. His logical and highly trained mind could not tolerate ambiguity or obscurity. The work thus states the decided
Posek
Posek is the term in Jewish law for "decider"—a legal scholar who decides the Halakha in cases of law where previous authorities are inconclusive or in those situations where no halakhic precedent exists....
halakha
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
, as well as the underlying reasoning.
The Maggid of Mezeritch, the second leader of Hasidism, recognised the abilities of the young Schneur Zalman in mastery of both the legal Talmudic aspects of Torah study
Torah study
Torah study is the study by Jewish people of the Torah, Hebrew Bible, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature and similar works, all of which are Judaism's religious texts...
, and the mystical. Among the "Chevra Kadisha" (Holy Society) of elite disciples in Mezeritch, Schneur Zalman was affectionately known as "the Litvak
Lithuanian Jews
Lithuanian Jews or Litvaks are Jews with roots in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania:...
" for his analytical mind. After the passing of DovBer, Schneur Zalman was appointed to spread Hasidism in White Russia
White Russia
White Russia or White Ruthenia is a name that has historically been applied to a part of the wider region of Ruthenia or Rus', most often to that which roughly corresponds to the eastern part of present-day Belarus including the cities of Polatsk, Vitsyebsk and Mahiliou. In English, the use of the...
, adjacent to the Lithuanian stronghold of Mitnagdic opposition. In the academy of Mezeritch, it is related that he would study Torah in chavrusa
Chavruta
Chavruta, also spelled chavrusa , is a traditional Rabbinic approach to Talmudic study in which a pair of students independently learn, discuss, and debate a shared text. It is a primary learning method in yeshivas and kollels, where students often engage regular study partners of similar knowledge...
(parnership) with Rabbi Avrohom HaMalach
Ruzhin (Hasidic dynasty)
The Ruzhin Hasidic dynasty was founded by Rabbi Yisroel Friedman of Ruzhyn, . Today, Ruzhyn is an urban-type settlement in Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine. Rav Yisroel's father was the Rebbe Sholom Shachne of Prhobisht, who was a son of Rabbi Avrohom "HaMalach"...
("The Angel"), son of DovBer. He would guide Rabbi Avraham in Talmudic scholarship, and the Malach would teach him Hasidic philosophy.
Influence
The Shulchan Aruch HaRav is today used by most HasidimHasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
as their basis for daily practice. The work is broadly considered an authoritative halachic text, and its rulings are frequently cited by later authorities such as Yisrael Meir Kagan
Yisrael Meir Kagan
Yisrael Meir Poupko , known popularly as The Chofetz Chaim, was an influential Eastern European rabbi, Halakhist, posek, and ethicist whose works continue to be widely influential in Jewish life...
in his Mishnah Berurah
Mishnah Berurah
The Mishnah Berurah is a work of halakha by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan , also colloquially known by the name of another of his books, Chofetz Chaim "Desirer of Life."...
and the Ben Ish Chai
Ben Ish Chai
Yosef Chaim or in Iraqi Hebrew Yoseph Ḥayyim was a leading hakham , authority on Jewish law and Master Kabbalist...
of Yosef Chaim of Baghdad. Shulchan Aruch HaRav is also one of the three works on which Shlomo Ganzfried
Shlomo Ganzfried
Shlomo Ganzfried was an Orthodox rabbi and posek best known as author of the work of Halakha , the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch , by which title he is also known.- Biography :Ganzfried was born in the year 1804 in Uzhhorod in the Carpathian region of the...
based his rulings
Posek
Posek is the term in Jewish law for "decider"—a legal scholar who decides the Halakha in cases of law where previous authorities are inconclusive or in those situations where no halakhic precedent exists....
in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch may refer to:#The famous work of that name by Shlomo Ganzfried#A similar Sephardi work entitled "Kitzur Shulchan Aruch" by Rabbi Raphael Baruch Toledano....
, the well-known precis of Jewish law
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
.
Although widely accepted, the work was originally limited in printings. Much of the original text was destroyed in a fire in Lubavitch, and only parts of copies of the draft survived. Kehot Publication Society
Kehot Publication Society
Kehot Publication Society and Merkos Publications, the publishing divisions of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, were established in 1942 by the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn...
(2002) has recently begun publication of a Bilingual Edition; in this work notations appear whenever Shneur Zalman's rulings are at variance with those in Yosef Karo's Shulchan Aruch.
External links
- Fulltext (HebrewHebrew languageHebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
), chabadlibrary.org