Arbaah Turim ארבעה טורים
Rabbi Yaakov ben Asher's code, dividing practical halakha into four parts—the framework of the Shulchan Aruch.
Rabbi Yaakov, son of the Rosh, wrote in Spain a book that changed the organisation of Jewish law itself. Unlike the Rambam he included only what applies in exile—no laws of Temple or offerings—and divided the material into four turim, "rows", like the rows of stones on the high priest's breastplate.
Orach Chaim: the order of the day, prayer, Sabbath and festivals. Yoreh Deah: kashrut, mourning, interest, and all that "teaches knowledge". Even haEzer: marriage, divorce, family law. Choshen Mishpat: property, courts, damages, commerce.
Its second innovation matters as much: the Tur cites the differing schools—Rambam, Rosh, Rif, Ashkenazi and Sephardi authorities—and says who holds what before ruling. On the Tur, Rabbi Yosef Karo wrote the vast Beit Yosef, out of which the Shulchan Aruch grew with the same fourfold division.
On the timeline
Related
Sources
Rishonim
- Arbaah Turim, introduction on Orach Chaim — the code itself and its division into four parts
Acharonim and later rabbinic literature
- Shulchan Aruch, introduction — the structure of the Tur as the frame of the code
- Beit Yosef, introduction — Rabbi Yosef Karo’s commentary, which grew into the Shulchan Aruch
Basis: tradition.