Orach Chayim


Orach Chayim is a section of Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's compilation of Halakha, Arba'ah Turim. This section addresses aspects of Jewish law pertinent to the Hebrew calendar. Rabbi Yosef Karo modeled the framework of the Shulkhan Arukh, his own compilation of practical Jewish law, after the Arba'ah Turim. Many later commentators used this framework, as well. 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
The Magen David was written by Rabbi David HaLevi Segal and has since been referred to as the "Taz", for consistency with Segal's commentary on the Yoreh Deah section of the Shulchan Aruch.
The Magen Avraham was written by Rabbi Avraham Gombiner. The Maginei Eretz was published by his son, Chaim, following his father's death.