Orach Chayim

Orach Chayim (Hebrew: אורח חיים; manner of life) is a section of Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's compilation of Halakha (Jewish law), Arba'ah Turim. This section treats all aspects of Jewish law primarily pertinent to the Hebrew calendar (be it the daily, weekly, monthly, or annual calendar). Rabbi Yosef Karo modeled the framework of the Shulkhan Arukh (שולחן ערוך), 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 an area of halakha, non-specific to Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's compilation.

Orach Chayim deals with, but is not limited to:

• Washing the hands in the morning,
• Tefillin
• Tzitzit (ritual fringes),
• Prayer,
• Sabbath,
• Festivals,
• Torah reading in synagogue.

Famous commentaries on Orach Chayim

• Taz
• Magen Avraham
• Beur HaGra
• Pri Megadim
• Mishnah Berurah
• Shtilei Zeisim by the Maharashdam

See also

The other three sections of Arba'ah Turim and other works borrowing its organizational scheme are:

• Yoreh De'ah
• Choshen Mishpat
• Even HaEzer