Arba'ah Turim
An important work of Jewish law, composed by Rabbi Yaakov ben Asher Ba'al ha-Turim of Spain (1270-ca 1340). In it, the author traces practical Jewish law from the Torah text and the dicta of the Talmud through the Rishonim.
The Arba'ah Turim (literally: four rows, as on the High Priest's breastplate):
- Orach Chayim - laws of prayer and synagogue, Sabbath, holidays
- Yorei De'ah - laws of shechita, kashrut
- Even ha-Ezer - laws of marriage, divorce
- Choshen Mishpat - laws of finance, financial responsibility, damages (personal and financial), interest
Commentaries on Arba'ah Turim include Beth Joseph by Rabbi Joseph Caro, Beth Chadash by Rabbi Yoel Sirkis and a number of others. The influential work of halacha, Shulkhan Arukh is a condensation of Beth Joseph and follows the basic structure of the Arba'ah Turim, including its division in four sections and chapters.
