Yoreh De'ah 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 not pertinent to the Jewish calendar, finance, torts, marriage, divorce, or sexual conduct. (Nevertheless there exists occasional overlap into the excluded areas). Yoreh De'ah is therefore the most diversified area of Jewish law. See Semicha for article about ordination of rabbis. ... Jacob ben Asher, in Hebrew Yaakov ben Asher, (1270-ca 1340) was an influential Medieval rabbinic authority. ... Halakha (הלכה or Halakhah, Halacha, Halachah) is the collective corpus of Jewish law, custom and tradition regulating all aspects of behavior. ... Arbaah Turim (ארבעה טורים, Hebrew: Four rows), also abbreviated as Tur, is an important work of Jewish law, composed by Rabbi Yaakov ben Asher (Baal ha-Turim) of Spain (1270 -ca 1340). ... This figure, in a detail of a medieval Hebrew calendar, reminded Jews of the palm branches ( Lulav) and the citron ( Etrog) to be brought to the synagogue at the end of sukkot, closing the solemn convocations of the calendar in autumn. ...

The topics in it include, but are not limited to:

• Permitted and forbidden foods,
• Circumcision,
• Gentiles,
• Foreign worship,
• Prohibition against charging interest,
• Oaths,
• Converts,
• Honoring parents,
• Honoring scholars and the elderly,
• Charity,
• Torah study,
• Torah scrolls,
• Mezuzah scrolls,
• Sending away the mother bird to take the young,
• Eating new grain,
• Forbidden mixtures,
• Redeeming the firstborn,
• Excommunication,
• Visiting the sick,
• Mourning,
• Priestly tithes.

Later on, Rabbi Yosef Karo modeled the framework of his own compilation of practical Jewish law, the Shulkhan Arukh after the Arba'ah Turim. Many later commentators used this framework, as well. Thus, Yoreh De'ah in common usage may refer to an area of halakha, non-specific to Rabbi Jacob ben Asher's compilation. The circled U indicates that this can of tuna is certified kosher by the Union of Orthodox Congregations. ... Brit milah (Hebrew: ברית מילה; literally covenant of circumcision), also bris milah (Ashkenazi pronunciation) is a Jewish ceremony which welcomes infant boys into the covenant through ritual circumcision performed by a mohel in the presence of family and friends, followed by a celebratory meal. ... The word Gentile has several meanings. ... In Judaism, a ger (Hebrew: stranger or convert) or ger tzedek (righteous convert or convert of righteousness) is a gentile who has undergone religious conversion (giur) to Judaism by fulfilling the ritual requirements for such conversion accepting the obligations of Jewish religious observance. ... Tzedakah (צדקה) in Judaism, is the Hebrew term most commonly translated as charity, though it is based on a root meaning justice (צדק). ... Torah study is the near-ritualistic dedication to studying religious texts that has evolved among the Jews over generations. ... Sefer Torah (Holy Book of the Torah) refers to a hand-written copy of the Jewish Torah that meets extremely strict standards of production. ... In Judaism, a mezuzah (Hebrew מזוזה literally doorpost, plural: mezuzot) is a small case affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes, synagogues, and business establishments. ... Cherem (or Herem), is the highest ecclesiastical censure in the Jewish community. ... Shivah is a traditional period of grief and mourning in Jewish culture called sitting shiva. Immediately upon the burial of a loved one, family members may choose to observe this tradition by mourning seven (shiva, in Hebrew) days, although some people choose to mourn fewer days. ... The position of a Kohens hands when he raises them to bless a Jewish congregation A Kohen (or Cohen, Hebrew priest, pl. ... Rabbi Yosef (Joseph) Karo is one of the most important leaders in the history of halakha (Jewish law). ... The Shulkhan Arukh (Hebrew: Prepared Table), by Rabbi Yosef Karo is considered the most authoritative compilation of Jewish law since the Talmud. ...

See also

• 613 mitzvot