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Orach Chayim ("manner/way of life") is a section ofRabbiJacob ben Asher's compilation ofHalakha (Jewish law),Arba'ah Turim.[1] This section addresses aspects of Jewish law pertinent to theHebrew calendar (be it the daily, weekly, monthly, or annual calendar). RabbiYosef Karo modeled the framework of theShulkhan Arukh (שולחן ערוך), his own compilation of practical Jewish law, after theArba'ah Turim.[2] Many later commentators used this framework, as well.[3] Thus,Orach Chayim in common usage may refer to another area of halakha, separate from Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's compilation.
Orach Chayim deals with but is not limited to:
Maginei Eretz was the first edition of the Orach Chaim, published with the commentaries Magen David and Magen Avraham on either side of the main text. This format has been maintained and today is the standard format for the Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. The name "Maginei Eretz" translates as "shields of the earth," a quote from Psalms 47:10 ("... for the shields of the earth belong to God: He is greatly exalted.")
The Magen David was written by RabbiDavid HaLevi Segal and has since been referred to as the "Taz" (The abbreviation for Turei Zahav), for consistency with Segal's commentary on theYoreh Deah section of the Shulchan Aruch.
The Magen Avraham was written by RabbiAvraham Gombiner. The Maginei Eretz was published by his son, Chaim, following his father's death.
The other three sections of Arba'ah Turim and other works borrowing its organizational scheme are:
