Tur
R' Yaakov ben Asher (1269-1343) was a leading Ashkenazi halakhic authority and son of the Rosh (R' Asher ben Yechiel). He is best known for authoring the Tur (Arba'ah Turim), a comprehensive code of Jewish law organized into four sections that became a foundational work for subsequent halakhic codification. The Tur served as the primary source text for R' Yosef Karo's later Shulchan Aruch and remains central to Jewish legal study.
Works & Contributions (3)
- Authored the Tur (Arba'ah Turim), a comprehensive four-part code of halakha
- Synthesized Ashkenazi and Sephardic legal traditions
- Established organizational framework later adopted by the Shulchan Aruch
Origin
Germany, Spain (Toledo)
1269–1343 CE (5029–5103)
Historical Context
Lineage
Teachers
Decisional Profile
Opinions recorded by category
Topic Coverage
Each square represents a topic. Darker squares indicate more opinions recorded in that topic.
Shabbat
Daily Life
Prayer
Blessings
Tzitzit & Tefillin
Pesach
Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
Sukkot
Hanukkah
Purim
Holidays
Fasts & Mourning
Rulings (34)
May one sit within four cubits of someone praying?
Four cubits distance required in front and to the side; silent on behind (suggesting permissibility)…
What is the minimum size of a garment required to be obligated in tzitzit?
Two conditions are required: (1) the garment must cover the head and majority of a 9-year-old child'…
What is the age of the 'independent child' used as the size benchmark for tzitzit?
The child is specifically a 9-year-old.
Once one has washed mayim acharonim (final waters), may one eat or drink before reciting Birkat HaMazon?
After washing mayim acharonim, one may eat or drink provided one first recites a new prior blessing …
Can a third person join two who have finished eating for a zimun, and what is the condition for joining?
The third joins unconditionally — there is no requirement that the two still be able to eat; as long…
Is the Bracha Me'ein Shalosh (abbreviated three-part blessing) from the Torah or of rabbinic origin?
The Me'ein Shalosh for seven species is a biblical obligation, derived from the verse about the land…
Must Birkat HaGomel be recited in the presence of ten people, and must two of them be Torah scholars?
The ten-person requirement is only l'chatchila; if one blessed before fewer than ten, he has fulfill…
Is 'Vehu Rachum' (Psalm 78:38) recited before Barchu at Maariv, and what is the reason?
The verse 'Vehu Rachum' is recited before Barchu because the daily and afternoon sacrifices atone du…
How many blessings are recited when putting on tefillin — one or two?
The original enactment included 'l'haniach' for the arm tefillin, covering both; the second blessing…
Which wick materials are permitted for the Shabbat lamp?
Invalid wicks include: lachash, chosen, kelach, petilat ha'idan, petilat hamidbar, and the green gro…
Should kiddush be recited in the synagogue on Shabbat and Yom Tov?
The custom of kiddush in the synagogue was originally instituted for guests; the Tur questions its v…
Does Havdalah wine require a bracha acharona, unlike Kiddush wine?
Havdalah wine requires a bracha acharona because, unlike Kiddush wine, Havdalah is not connected to …
What is the Torah-level status of extinguishing a fire on Shabbat — is it a melachah she'einah tzerichah legufah?
Extinguishing a candle because one is concerned about the oil, the wick, or the lamp itself is patur…
What foods may be used to fulfill the obligation of the third Shabbat meal (Seudah Shlishit) if one is too full for bread?
Some say the third meal may be fulfilled with any food made from the five types of grain (mezonot fo…
What foods may be used to fulfill the obligation of the third Shabbat meal (Seudah Shlishit) if one is too full for bread?
Some say the third meal may be fulfilled with foods that accompany bread — meat, fish, and similar i…