JUDAICA –

Ganzfried’s goal in this handy digest of the Shulhan Arukh: Orah Hayim, Yoreh De’ah, Even Ha’ezer, and Hoshen Mishpat was to offer a reference work that everyone could consult as the need arose. It also served as a book of instruction to introduce students to the subject matter of Jewish law. The book was accepted and acclaimed by many leading authorities of its time. The focus was practical halakhah and omitted laws and customs, which were widely known and needed no further description. He depended upon the writings of Ya’acov of Lissa, Shneur Zalman Schneerson of Liady and Abraham Danzig author of the Hayei Adam. Although Ganzfried’s work is abridged, he frequently commences its sections with brief non-halakhic introductions. These are adapted from writings such as Maimonides, Sefer Hayashar, Hayei Adam, and other works on ethical behavior (musar). For example, in the ”Laws of Hanukkah” (section 139), the text of Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah provides historical background.

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