Synopsis: The Code of Jewish Law offers practical guidance for daily Jewish life and observance, condensing centuries-old tradition into an accessible reduction in 2015 and 2023. It can be considered deeds to live by, any one of which will elevate the doer.
The Shulchan Aruch is the seminal legal codex that has served as the bedrock of Jewish law. Its significance lies not only in its historical inception but also in its enduring relevance to Jewish daily life.

Forward: From 2002, when my work on The Code of Jewish Law began, to 2015, when it was first published, to this second edition in 2023, little has changed from the original work in 1563, I hope! Its actual name is The Shulchan Aruch (Hebrew: עָרוּך שֻׁלְחָן), which literally translates to “Set Table.” “The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, meaning ‘Abridged Set Table,’ streamlines Jewish laws for laypeople. It highlights essential practices, making complex legal discussions more approachable and the observance of commandments more feasible.” This is a work with that in mind. This book intends To set the table, faithfully, but for modern readers in book form and even more accessible online at TheCodeOfJewishLaw.com

The work of Solomon Ganzfried, who was an Orthodox rabbi and posek, is best known as an author of Halakha (Jewish law), the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. Who wrote down this code of Jewish law? Its actual name is The Shulchan Aruch was written in 1563 by Yosef Karo in Safed, Israel, and published two years later in Venice, Italy. It has been republished and translated countless times. This time for a modern reader. And this time with a glossary for Hebrew words and phrases and, online, with the ability to look deeper through the simple click in the online version at www.TheCodeOfJewishLaw.com
It was no small task to trim down four volumes, 221 chapters, and approximately 2,756 “rules.” Sure, some of The Code Of Jewish Law seem outdated—modern times have rendered many obsolete—but most remain as true today as they have ever been. The Code of Jewish Law can be viewed as instructions, as opposed to doctrine. The list of day-to-day tasks and prohibitions seems endless. However, the list that comprises The Code of Jewish Law comes from a recognized and universally accepted source.

The Five Books of Moses are the first five books of the twenty-four books of the Tanakh, together with the oral laws and commentary that form the well-spring of Jewish law and custom. There are The Ten Commandments, of course, but there are actually 613 Commandments in the Hebrew Bible; however, they are not directly laid out as do’s and don’ts of day-to-day living. I find much of the Jewish liturgy to be more original text, commentary, or prayer – Not just a list like this. It reads like a user’s manual, with deeds and not just words to live by.

This edition mirrors the original in structure and meaning, offering a faithful redrafting with contemporary language, preserving its numbered passages without interpretation.

This version, along with TheCodeOfJewishLaw.com, stands as a testament to the timeless nature of the Shulchan Aruch. Each rule is presented reflecting the original’s intent and order.

Accompanied by a glossary meticulously prepared by the editor, it extends an understanding hand to those unfamiliar with Hebrew. This aids in grasping the full context while maintaining the integrity of crucial Hebrew terms in place and context.

It is critical to note that this work does not claim to replace traditional or study but rather to complement them. As a faithful reflection of an ancient tradition, it provides a window into the day-to-day lifecycles of Jewish law, encouraging further exploration and consultation with original sources and authorities for a deeper grasp of its teachings.