A report on Joseph Karo
The author of the last great codification of Jewish law, the Beit Yosef, and its popular analogue, the Shulchan Arukh.
- Joseph Karo27 related topics with Alpha
Shulchan Aruch
8 linksMost widely consulted of the various legal codes in Judaism.
Most widely consulted of the various legal codes in Judaism.
It was authored in Safed (today in Israel) by Joseph Karo in 1563 and published in Venice two years later.
Kabbalah
5 linksEsoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism.
Esoteric method, discipline and school of thought in Jewish mysticism.
The author of the Shulkhan Arukh (the normative Jewish "Code of Law"), Yosef Karo (1488–1575), was also a scholar of Kabbalah who kept a personal mystical diary.
Halakha
7 linksCollective body of Jewish religious laws which is derived from the written and Oral Torah.
Collective body of Jewish religious laws which is derived from the written and Oral Torah.
The Beit Yosef and the Shulchan Aruch of rabbi Yosef Karo (1488–1575). The Beit Yosef is a huge commentary on the Tur in which rabbi Karo traces the development of each law from the Talmud through later rabbinical literature (examining 32 authorities, beginning with the Talmud and ending with the works of rabbi Israel Isserlein). The Shulchan Aruch (literally "set table") is, in turn, a condensation of the Beit Yosef – stating each ruling simply; this work follows the chapter divisions of the Tur. The Shulchan Aruch, together with its related commentaries, is considered by many to be the most authoritative compilation of halakha since the Talmud. In writing the Shulchan Aruch, rabbi Karo based his rulings on three authorities – Maimonides, Asher ben Jehiel (Rosh), and Isaac Alfasi (Rif); he considered the Mordechai in inconclusive cases. Sephardic Jews, generally, refer to the Shulchan Aruch as the basis for their daily practice.
Arba'ah Turim
8 linksImportant Halakhic code composed by Yaakov ben Asher (Cologne, 1270 – Toledo, Spain c. 1340, also referred to as Ba'al Ha-Turim).
Important Halakhic code composed by Yaakov ben Asher (Cologne, 1270 – Toledo, Spain c. 1340, also referred to as Ba'al Ha-Turim).
The best-known commentary on the Arba'ah Turim is the Beit Yosef by rabbi Joseph ben Ephraim Karo: this goes beyond the normal functions of a commentary, in that it attempts to review all the relevant authorities and come to a final decision on every point, so as to constitute a comprehensive resource on Jewish law.
Talmud
6 linksCentral text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law (halakha) and Jewish theology.
Central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law (halakha) and Jewish theology.
Joseph Caro, Kelale ha-Gemara (commentary on Halichot Olam)
Maimonides
5 linksMedieval Sephardic Jewish philosopher who became one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars of the Middle Ages.
Medieval Sephardic Jewish philosopher who became one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars of the Middle Ages.
Joseph Karo later praised Maimonides, writing of him, "Maimonides is the greatest of the decisors [of Jewish law], and all communities of the Land of Israel and of Arabia and of the Maghreb base their practices after him, and have taken him upon themselves as their rabbi."
Orach Chayim
3 linksSection of Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's compilation of Halakha (Jewish law), Arba'ah Turim.
Section of Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's compilation of Halakha (Jewish law), Arba'ah Turim.
Rabbi Yosef Karo modeled the framework of the Shulkhan Arukh (שולחן ערוך), his own compilation of practical Jewish law, after the Arba'ah Turim. Many later commentators used this framework, as well.
Beit Yosef (book)
1 linksBeit Yosef (בית יוסף) (also transliterated Beth Yosef), written by Rabbi Joseph Karo, is a long and detailed commentary on the Arba'ah Turim ("Tur") by Jacob ben Asher.
Hayyim ben Joseph Vital
3 linksRabbi in Safed and the foremost disciple of Isaac Luria.
Rabbi in Safed and the foremost disciple of Isaac Luria.
Joseph Karo is said to have paid special attention to Vital's early talents and in 1557 requested that Alshich take special care in his education as he was destined to succeed his teacher in the world of Torah study.
Moshe Alshich
2 linksProminent rabbi, preacher, and biblical commentator in the latter part of the sixteenth century.
Prominent rabbi, preacher, and biblical commentator in the latter part of the sixteenth century.
He later moved to Safed where he became a student of Rabbi Joseph Caro.