halachic texts

Commentaries on the Mishneh Torah

The Mishneh Torah sparked the creation of extensive and voluminous commentary.

Critical Reactions to Mishneh Torah

Maimonides' two main critics, Rabad and Asheri, argued that multiplicity of opinions is a positive and vital force in Jewish law.

Goals of the Mishneh Torah

In order to make his code categorical and prescriptive, Maimonides deliberately omitted sources and did not reference his predecessors.

Sephardic Halachic Texts of the Middle Ages

As Jewish communities grew throughout the Muslim world, they developed their own rabbinical schools and scholars.

The Impact of the Geonim on the Middle Ages

Jewish communities in the West gain independence of the geonim, and inherit a rich tapestry of legal texts.

Halakhot Pesukot, Halakhot Gedolot

Major books of halakhot from the geonic period.

Sefer ha-She’iltot

The first halakhic code.

The Geonic Period

During this time Babylonia was the spiritual and political center of Diaspora Jewry, and Jewish communities looked to the Geonim for authoritative teachings on halachic matters.