Aaronberg, Rav Yehoshua – The late author of Teshuvot Devar Yehoshua who served as a dayan on the Tel Aviv Beit Din.
Acharonim – Great rabbinical authorities of the sixteenth century to the present.
Achiezer – Responsa of Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky, a halachic authority who resided in Vilna (1863 – 1940).
Adler, Rav Yosef – Principal of the Torah Academy of Bergen County and Rav of Congregation Rinat Yisrael in Teaneck, New Jersey. Student of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik.
Ahavat Chessed – A halachic work on the laws regarding acts of kindness by Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan. See Mishnah Berurah.
Amital, Rav Yehuda – Rosh Yeshivat Har Etzion, Israel, former Minister in the Israeli government, and author of Hama'alot Mima'amakim
Ariel, Rav Yaakov – Rav of Ramat Gan, Israel.
Aruch Hashulchan – A halachic work on the Shulchan Aruch authored by Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein (1829 – 1908), Rav of Novardok, Russia. The Aruch Hashulchan He’atid is a halachic work on the areas of Halachah not discussed in the Shulchan Aruch.
Aseih Lecha Rav – Responsa of Rav Chaim David Halevi, Rav of Tel Aviv -Yafo and author of Mekor Chaim (Died 1998).
Auerbach, Rav Avraham Dov – Rav of Tiberias, Israel and son of Rav Shlomo Zalman.
Auerbach, Rav Shlomo Zalman – A renowned halachic authority and the author of Teshuvot Minchat Shlomo. He resided in Jerusalem and served as Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Kol Torah. He died in 1995.
Aviasaf – Work by Rav Eliezer ben Yoel Halevi (Raavyah), Ashkenazic Rishon of the early thirteenth century. The book has not survived, although parts of it are cited in other sources.
Avkat Rocheil – Responsa authored by Rav Yosef Karo of Safed (1488 -1575), who also wrote Shulchan Aruch, Kesef Mishneh, and Beit Yosef.
Avnei Neizer – Responsa by Rav Avraham Bornstein, Rav of Sochaczov, Poland (1839 – 1910). He also wrote the Eglei Tal.
Az Nidberu – Responsa of Rav Binyamin Yehoshua Silber, Rav in Bnei Brak, Israel.
Badei Hashulchan – Halachic work discussing various sections of Yoreh De'ah by Rav Feivel Cohen, Rav in Brooklyn, New York. He also wrote Kuntres Midor Ledor.
Basri, Rav Ezra – Sephardic dayan who resides in Jerusalem and is the author of Teshuvot Shaarei Ezra.
Bakshi-Doron, Rav Eliyahu – Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel.
Be'er Heitiv – Commentary to Shulchan Aruch by Rav Zechariah Mendel of Belz, Ukraine (died 1706).
Be'er Yitzchak – Responsa of Rav Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor. See Ein Yitzchak.
Beit Efraim – Responsa of Rav Ephraim Zalman Margolies (1760-1828).
Beit Halevi – Responsa and Bible commentary of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, Rav of Brisk, Lithuania (1820 -1892). The Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University bearing his name is his great-grandson.
Beit Shmuel – Commentary to the Even Ha'ezer section of the Shulchan Aruch and authored by Rav Shmuel ben Uri Shraga Feivish (Poland, 17th Century).
Beit Yitzchak – A halachic journal published annually by Yeshiva University.
Beit Yitzchak – Responsa of Rav Yitzchak Shmelkes, a prominent authority in nineteenth-century Galicia (1828-1906).
Beit Yosef – Commentary of Rav Yosef Karo to the Tur. See Avkat Rocheil.
Berlin, Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehudah (Netziv) – Head of Yeshivat Volozhin in Russia and the author of Teshuvot Meishiv Davar, Ha'eimek Davar on the Torah, Meromei Sadeh on the Talmud, and Ha'eimek She'eilah on the She'iltot of Rav Achai Gaon. The Netziv lived from 1817 to 1893.
Between Civil and Religious Law: The Plight of the Agunah in American Society – Discussion of the relationship between various Jewish and American divorce laws by Rav Yitzchak (Irving) Breitowitz, Rav in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Bintivot Hahalachah – Responsa of Rav J. David Bleich; see Bleich, Rav J. David.
Birurim B'hilchot Hareiah – A halachic compendium devoted to analysis of Rav A. Y. Kook's halachic rulings.
Biur Hagra – Commentary of the Vilna Gaon (1720 – 1797), Rav Eliyahu Kramer of Vilna, to the Shulchan Aruch.
Biur Halachah – Analytical commentary to the Orach Chaim section of the Shulchan Aruch by Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan; see Mishnah Berurah.
Blau, Rav Yaakov – Contemporary halachic authority who resides in Jerusalem who authored the Netivot Shabbat and Pitchei Choshen.
Bleich, Rav J. David – Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University in New York and the author of Bintivot Hahalachah and Contemporary Halakhic Problems.
Bleich, Rav Moshe – Rav in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York.
Bnei Banim – Responsa of Rav Yehuda Henkin. See Henkin, Rav Yehuda.
Chacham Tzvi – Responsa of Rav Tzvi Ashkenazi of Amsterdam (1660 -1718).
Charlop, Rav Yaakov Moshe – Rosh Yeshivat Merkaz Harav, Jerusalem, who died in 1952.
Chatam Sofer – Responsa of Rav Moshe Sofer (1763 – 1839), Rav of Pressburg, Hungary.
Chavatzelet Hasharon – Responsa of Rav David Menachem Manish Babad, Rav of Chernobyl in the early 20th century.
Chavot Yair – Responsa of Rav Yair Chaim Bachrach (1638 – 1702), Rav of Worms, Germany.
Chazon Ish – Halachic work by Rav Avraham Yeshayah Karelitz of Bnei Brak, Israel (1878 – 1953). While being highly respected in all areas of Halachah, his views are especially authoritative in the area of eruvin.
Chelkat Yaakov – Responsa of Rav Yaakov Breisch, Rav in Zurich, Switzerland. He died in 1977.
Chok Yaakov – Commentary to the laws of Passover of the Shulchan Aruch, by Rav Yaakov Reisher (Germany 1670 – 1733).
Choshen Mishpat – The section of Shulchan Aruch that deals with monetary laws.
Contemporary Halakhic Problems – A review of contemporary responsa literature by Rav J. David Bleich, Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University in New York.
The Contemporary Eruv – Discussion of the laws of eruvin by Rav Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer of Chicago with an emphasis on eruvin in modern cities.
Daf Kesher – Weekly publication of Yeshivat Har Etzion that contains divrei Torah and Yeshiva news. Every few years, these publications are combined into a book.
Darchei Moshe – The Rama's commentary to the Tur. See Rama
Darchei Teshuva – A compilation of the responsa literature to the Yoreh Deah section of the Shulchan Aruch. By Rav Tzvi Hirsch Shapira (1850-1913).
Dasberg, Rav Uri – An editor of Techumin who resides in Alon Shvut, Israel.
David, Rav Shmuel – Rav of Afula, Israel, who is a student of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and the author of Sheilot Uteshuvot Meirosh Tzurim. He is a former rabbi of Kibbutz Rosh Tzurim.
Devar Avraham – Responsa of Rav Avraham Shapira, Rav of Kovno in the early 20th century. He died in 1939.
Dichovsky, Rav Shlomo – Member of the Beit Din Hagadol of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
Divrei Malkiel – Responsa of Rav Malkiel Tannenbaum of Lomza (late 19th and early 20th centuries).
Doveiv Meisharim – Responsa of Rav Dov Berish Weidenfeld of Trzebin (1881-1965).
Eglei Tal – Discussion of many laws of Shabbat by Rav Avraham Bornstein, Rav of Sochaczov, Poland (1839 – 1910). He also wrote the Avnei Neizer.
Eider, Rav Shimon – The author of numerous halachic works in English who resides in Lakewood, New Jersey.
Eiger, Rav Akiva – Author of many responsa and a commentary to the Shulchan Aruch (1761 – 1837). He served as Rav of Posen, Poland.
Ein Yitzchak – Reponsa of Rav Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor, Rav of Kovno, Lithuania (1817 – 1896). He also wrote Be'er Yitzchak.
Eliashiv, Rav Yosef Shalom – Halachic authority who resides in Jerusalem.
Eliyahu, Rav Mordechai – Halachic authority who resides in Jerusalem. He served as Israel's Sephardic Chief Rabbi from 1983 to 1992.
Encyclopedia Talmudit – Encyclopedia of Talmudic concepts published as an ongoing project of Yad Harav Herzog.
Even Ha'ezer – The section of the Shulchan Aruch that deals with family law.
Feinstein, Rav Reuven – Son of Rav Moshe and Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem in Staten Island, New York.
Feinstein, Rav Moshe – A renowned halachic authority who authored Teshuvot Igrot Moshe and served as Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem in New York (Died 1986).
Frank, Rav Tzvi Pesach – Rav of Jerusalem who authored Teshuvot Har Tzvi. and Mikra'ei Kodesh, a discussion of laws of festivals (Died 1960).
Free Enterprise and Jewish Law – Discussion of certain aspects of Jewish civil law by Rav Aaron Levine, Rav of the Young Israel of Avenue J in Brooklyn, New York, and Professor of Economics at Yeshiva University.
Gevurat Anashim – A work about laws of coercing a husband to give a get. See Shach.
Goldberg, Rav Zalman Nechemia – A son-in-law of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach who serves on the Beit Din Hagadol of Israel's Chief Rabbinate and resides in Jerusalem
Goldwicht, Rav Meir – Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University.
Goren, Rav Shlomo – Israel's Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi from 1972 – 1982 (Died 1994).
Gra – Gaon Rabbeinu Eliyahu, acronym for the Vilna Gaon. See Biur Hagra.
Greenblatt, Rav Efraim – Rav in Memphis, Tennessee and author of Teshuvot Rivevot Ephraim.
Greenblatt, Rav Nata – Rav in Memphis, Tennessee.
Grumet, Rav Zvi – Associate Principal of the Torah Academy of Bergen County.
Ha'elef Lecha Shlomo – Responsa of Rav Shlomo Kluger (1785-1869).
Halevi, Rav Chaim David – Rav of Tel-Aviv-Yafo, author of Aseih Lecha Rav and Mekor Chaim (died 1998).
Hama'a lot Mima'amakim – Essays on Religious Zionism by Rav Yehuda Amital, written in the wake of the Yom Kippur War. See Amital, Rav Yehuda.
Hamo'adim Behalachah – Discussion of the laws of holidays by Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin, editor of the Encyclopedia Talmudit (died 1978).
Ha'oz Veha'ahavah – discussion of war in the Rambam's thought by Rav Yehoshua Hagar-Lau, Rosh Yeshiva of the Military Prepratory Yeshiva in Beit Yatir, Israel and nephew of Israeli Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau.
Har Tzvi – Responsa of Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank, Rav of Jerusalem (Died 1960).
Hatznei'a Lechet – Summary of the laws of modesty by the late Rav Elyakim (Getsel) Ellinson (late 20th century), printed in English as The Modest Way.
Heichal Yitzchak – Responsa of Rav Yitzchak Isaac Herzog, Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Israel at the time of its independence. He also wrote Techukah Leyisrael Al Pi Hatorah.
Henkin, Rav Yosef Eliyahu – A halachic authority who resided much of his life in New York (Died 1973). Author of Teshuvot Ibra and Peirushei Ibra..
Henkin, Rav Yehuda – A halachic authority who has authored Teshuvot Bnei Banim and Equality Lost and is the grandson of Rav Yosef Eliyahu Henkin. He resides in Jerusalem.
Hilchot Medinah – Discussion of laws pertaining to the State of Israel by Rav Eliezer Waldenberg. See Tzitz Eliezer.
Hutner, Rav Yitzchak – Rosh Yeshivas Chaim Berlin in Brooklyn, New York (Died 1980).
Igrot Moshe – responsa of Rav Moshe Feinstein. See Feinstein, Rav Moshe.
Ir Hakodesh V'hamikdash – A work about issues pertaining to Jerusalem authored by Rav Yechiel Michel Tukachinsky, Rav of Jerusalem (died 1955).
Issur V'heter – Halachic compendium by Rav Yonah ben Yisrael (late fifteenth century).
Imrei Yosher – Responsa of Rav Meir Arik, Rav in Tarnow, Galicia (1855-1926).
The Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society – A halachic journal published semi-annually by the Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshiva in Staten Island, New York.
Kahane, Rav Shlomo David – Rav of Warsaw, Poland and later of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Kaminetsky, Rav Yaakov – Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaath. He died in 1986.
Kasher, Rav Menachem – Late author of Torah Sheleimah and editor of Noam (mid-20th century).
Kefiyah B'get – Comprehensive discussion of the laws of coercing a husband to divorce his wife by Rav Tzvi Gartner of Jerusalem, Israel.
Keren Orah – Commentary on the Talmud by Rav Yitzchak of Karlin, younger brother of the Mishkenot Yaakov (mid-19th century).
Kol Mevaser – Responsa of Rav Meshulam Roth, a member of the council of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. He died in 1962.
Kook, Rav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen – Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi in Israel from 1921 through 1935 and the author of numerous halachic and philisophical works, including Teshuvot Orach Mishpat.
Kook, Rav Tzvi Yehuda – Son of Rav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook who served as Rosh Yeshivat Merkaz Harav (Died 1982).
Korban Netaneil – Commentary on the Rosh by Rav Netaneil Weil (1687-1969).
Kuntres Midor Ledor – Discussion of the laws of inheritance by Rav Feivel Cohen. See Badei Hashulchan.
Kulitz, Rav Yitzchak – Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem.
Kuzari – Basic work of Jewish philosophy by Rav Yehudah Halevi, an early 11th century Spanish Rishon.
Lange, Rav Elimelech – Author of Hilchot Eruvin, alumnus of Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh.
Lechem Mishneh – Commentary on Rambam's Mishneh Torah by Rav Avraham Boton, Rav in 16th century Salonika.
Lev Aryeh – Responsa of Rav Aryeh Grossnass, late dayan of the London Beth Din (mid-20th century).
Lichtenstein, Rav Aharon – Rosh Yeshivat Har Etzion in Alon Shvut, Israel and son-in-law of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik.
Liebes, Rav Yitzchak Isaac – late Av Beit Din of the Iggud Harabannim of America and author of Teshuvot Beit Avi (died 1999).
Lifshitz, Rav David – Rav of Suwalk, later Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University. He died in 1993.
Lior, Rav Dov – Rav of Kiryat Arba and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Kiryat Arba, Israel.
Mabit – Rav Moshe ben Yosef Trani, younger contemporary of Rav Yosef Karo in sixteenth-century Safed, Israel.
Magen Avraham – Commentary to the Orach Chaim section of the Shulchan Aruch, authored by Rav Avraham Gombiner (c. 1634 – 1682).
Maggid Mishneh – Commentary to the Rambam's Mishneh Torah by Rav Vidal of Tolosa (14th century Spain).
Maharam Lublin – Acronym for Moreinu Harav Meir of Lublin, a Polish authority who wrote responsa and a commentary on the Gemara (1558-1616).
Maharam of Rothenburg – Rav Meir ben Baruch Halevy of Rothenburg. He authored numerous responsa. The Mordechai and the Rosh are his disciples (1320 – 1390)
Maharil – Rav Yaakov ben Moshe, German Rav in the late 14th and early 15th centuries.
Maharit – Acronym for Moreinu Harav Yosef of Trani, son of the Mabit, Rav in early 17th century Safed, Israel.
Maharsha – Acronym for Moreinu Harav Shmuel Eidels. He authored a commentary to the Talmud and the commentaries of Rashi and Tosafot to the Talmud (c. 1555 – 1632).
Maharsham – Acronym for Moreinu Harav Shlomo Mordechai Schwadron, author of responsa who served as Rav in Berzan, Galicia (1835 – 1911).
Mas'at Binyamin – Responsa of Rav Binyamin Solnik, student of the Rama and Maharshal. He died around 1620.
Meidan, Rav Yaakov – A Rebbe at Yeshivat Har Etzion, Alon Shvut, Israel, known for his colorful insights to Bible, Talmud, and Halachah study.
Meiri – Commentary to the Talmud by Rav Menachem Hameiri (c. 1249 – c. 1306), mostly entitled Beit Habechirah.
Meishiv Davar – Responsa of the Netziv. See Berlin, Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehudah.
Mekor Chaim – Discussion of the laws of Pesach by Rav Yaakov of Lissa. It contains a section which discusses some laws of eruvin. See Netivot Hamishpat.
Melamed Leho'il – Responsa of Rav David Tzvi Hoffman, a halachic authority who headed the Orthodox Rabbinical Seminary of Berlin and wrote a Bible commentary to refute Bible critics (1843 -1921).
Melamed, Rav Zalman – Rosh Yeshivat Beit El, Israel.
Miller, Rav Shlomo – Head of the Kolel Avrechim (Institute for Advanced Talmudic Study) of Toronto.
Mikraei Kodesh – Discussion of the laws of festivals by Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank. See Frank, Rav Tzvi Pesach.
Mikraei Kodesh – Discussion of the laws of festivals by Rav Moshe Harari, Yeshivat Merkaz Harav, Jerusalem, including many rulings which Rav Harari heard from contemporary Israeli authorities.
Minchat Chinuch – Commentary on the Sefer Hachinuch authored by Rav Yosef Babad, who served as Rav of Tarnipol in the Ukraine (1800 – 1875).
Minchat Elazar – Responsa of Rav Chaim Zev Elazar Shapiro, Chassdic Rebbe of Munkacz.
Minchat Shlomo – Responsa of Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. See Auerbach, Rav Shlomo Zalman.
Minchat Yitzchak – Responsa of Rav Yitzchak Yaakov Weisz, dayan of the Eidah Chareidit of Jerusalem (died 1989).
Mishkenot Yaakov – Responsa of Rav Yaakov of Karlin, older brother of the Keren Orah. He died in 1845.
Mishnah Berurah – Commentary to the Orach Chaim section of the Shulchan Aruch authored by Rav Yisrael Meir Hakohen Kagan (1893 – 1933), who lived in Radin, Poland. He is commonly known as the Chafetz Chaim, the title of his work on the laws of slander, and also wrote the Biur Halachah, Shaar Hatziyun, and Ahavat Chessed.
Mishnat Rabbi Aharon – Responsa of Rav Aharon Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood, New Jersey (Died 1962).
Mishpetei Uzziel – Responsa of Rav Ben-Zion Uzziel, Israel's Sephardic Chief Rabbi from 1939 to 1953. He lived from 1880 to 1953.
Mordechai – Halachic compendium on most tractates of the Talmud authored by Rav Mordechai ben Hillel (c. 1240 – 1298).
Moznei Tzedek – Responsa of Rav Menachem Silber, currently a dayan on the Satmar Beit Din of Brooklyn, New York.
Nachalat Tzvi – Discussion of laws of conversion and divorce by Rav Gedalia Felder (died 1992), who resided in Toronto, Canada and also wrote Yesodei Yeshurun.
Netivot Hamishpat – Commentary on the Choshen Mishpat section of Shulchan Aruch by Rav Yaakov of Lissa. He also wrote the Torat Gittin on the laws of Jewish divorce and the Mekor Chaim on the laws of Pesach. He died in 1832.
Netivot Shabbat – Discussion of the laws of eruvin by Rav Yaakov Blau of Jerusalem. He also wrote Pitchei Choshen.
Netziv – See Berlin, Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehudah.
Neuwirth, Rav Yehoshua – Halachic authority who resides in Jerusalem.; author of Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchatah.
Neventzall, Rav Avigdor – Rav of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Nishmat Avraham – Discussion of halachot pertaining to medicine by Dr. Avraham S. Avraham, a physician who resides in Jerusalem, Israel.
Nissim, Rav Yitzchak – Israel's Sephardic Chief Rabbi from 1955 – 1972.
Noam – Halachah journal edited by Rav Menachem Kasher in the mid 20th century.
Noda Biy'hudah – Responsa of Rav Yechezkel Landau, who served as Rav of Prague (1713 – 1793).
Orach Chaim – The section of the Shulchan Aruch which deals with the laws of daily living.
Orach Mishpat – Responsa of Rav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook. See Kook, Rav Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen
Orchot Chaim – Halachic work that gathers opinions of various Rishonim by Rav Aharon of Lunel (late 13th and early 14th century Provence).
Orchot Chaim – Summary of the responsa literature on the Orach Chaim section of Shulchan Aruch by Rav Nachman Kahane of Spinka (early 20th century).
Oshry, Rav Ephraim – author of Teshuvot Mima'amakim, former Rav of Kovno who serves as a Rav in New York.
Otzar Haposkim – Compilation of responsa literature on the Even Ha'ezer section of Shulchan Aruch published by an institute in Jerusalem.
Pitchei Choshen – Authoritative discussion of business laws by Rav Yaakov Blau of Jerusalem. He also wrote Netivot Shabbat.
Pitchei Teshuvah – Summary of the responsa literature from the seventeenth century to the early nineteenth century presented as a commentary to the Shulchan Aruch. It was written by Rav Tzvi Hirsh Eisenstadt, Rav of Utian, Russia (1812 – 1868).
Pri Megadim – Commentary on the Shulchan Aruch by Rav Yosef Te'omim, Rav of Frankfurt (1727-1792).
Pris, Rav Yehudah – Rebbe at Yeshivat Birkat Moshe, Maaleh Adumim, Israel.
Raavad – Acronym for Rabbeinu Avraham ben David of Posquieres, France, who wrote many works, including critical comments to Rambam's Mishneh Torah (c. 1120 – c. 1197)
Raavyah – Acronyom for Rav Eliezer ben Yoel Halevi, Ashkenazic Rishon of the early thirteenth century. He wrote Aviasaf.
Rabbeinu Chananeil – 11th century author of a commentary to the Talmud and Rav in Kairouan (Tunisia).
Rabbeinu Tam – Rabbeinu Yaakov ben Meir, Rashi's grandson who lived in France and was the most prominent of the Tosafists (1100 – 1171).
Rabinowitz, Rav Nachum – Rosh Yeshivat Birkat Moshe, Maaleh Adumim, Israel.
Radak – Acronym for Rabbeinu David Kimchi author, of a Bible commentary (1160 – 1235).
Radbaz – Acronym for Rabbeinu David ben Zimra, who authored numerous responsa and a commentary on parts of the Rambam's Mishneh Torah and served as Chief Rabbi of Egypt (c. 1480 -1573).
Rama – Acronym of Rav Moshe Isserles. He authored glosses to the Shulchan Aruch, most of which are considered authoritative by Ashkenazic Jewry. He served as Rav in Cracow, Poland and wrote other works such as the Darchei Moshe commentary to the Tur and responsa.
Rambam – Acronym for Rabbeinu Moshe ben Maimon, also known as Maimonides. He authored a halachic code called the Mishneh Torah, a commentary to the Mishnah (Peirush Hamishnayot), and a philosophical work, Moreh Nevuchim (Guide to the Perplexed). He was born and raised in Spain and later moved to Egypt (c. 1135 -1204).
Ramban – Acronym for Rabbeinu Moshe ben Nachman, also known as Nachmanides. He authored major commentaries to the Torah and Talmud. He lived in Spain and Israel (1194 -1270).
Ran – Acronym for Rabbeinu Nissim, who authored a commentary to the Talmud (c. 1290 – 1375)
Raphael, Rav Shilo – Late dayan on the Jerusalem Beit Din (died 1994).
Rashba – Acronym for Rabbeinu Shlomo ben Avraham Aderet, who served as Rav of Barcelona, Spain and authored a commentary to the Talmud and numerous responsa (1235 – 1310).
Rashbam – Acronym for Rabbeinu Shlomo ben Meir. He authored a commentary to the Torah and certain tractates of the Talmud. He was the grandson of Rashi and the older brother of Rabbeinu Tam and lived in France (c. 1085 – 1174).
Rashi – Acronym for Rabbeinu Shlomo Yitzchaki, author of the premier commentaries to the Bible and the Talmud, who lived in Troyes, France (1040 – 1105).
Rav Pe'alim – Responsa of Rav Yosef Chaim of 19th century Baghdad. He also wrote Ben Ish Chai.
Ri – Acronym for Rabbeinu Yitzchak, 12th century Tosafist and nephew of Rabbeinu Tam.
Rif – Acronym for Rabbeinu Yitzchak al-Fasi of Fez, Morocco who wrote an abridged version of the Talmud that elucidates the Talmud and issues rulings regarding matters disputed in the Talmud (1013 – 1103).
Rishonim – Great rabbinical authorities of the eleventh century to the fifteenth century.
Ritva – Acronym for Rabbeinu Yom Tov ben Avraham ibn Asevilli who wrote a commentary to the Talmud and lived in Spain during the fourteenth century.
Rivash – Acronym for Rabbeinu Yitzchak ben Sheishet who authored many responsa. He was born in Barcelona in 1326 and died in Algiers in 1408.
Rosenfeld, Rav Shlomo – Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Shedeimot Neiriyah, Israel.
Rosh – Acronym for Rabbeinu Asher ben Yechiel, who lived in Germany and Spain. He wrote a halachic commentary to the Talmud and responsa and edited an edition of Tosafot known as Tosafot Harosh (c. 1250 – 1327).
Salant, Rav Shmuel – Rav of Jerusalem, Israel, he lived from 1816 to 1909.
Schachter, Rav Hershel – Rosh Kollel of Yeshiva University and author of B'ikvei Hatzion, Eretz Hatzvi, and Nefesh Harav.
Schachter, Rav JJ – Rav in Boston and former editor of The Torah U-Madda Journal.
Schochetman, Professor Eliav – Professor of Jewish Law at Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
Schwartz, Rav Gedalia – Av Beit Din of the Beth Din of America (the Beth Din of the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America).
Sefer Hachinuch – Enumeration and discussion of the 613 mitzvot written in the thirteenth century by an unknown author (mistakenly attributed to the Ra'ah, Rabbeinu Aharon Halevi).
Seforno – Commentary to the Torah authored by Rav Ovadia Seforno of Italy (1470 – 1550).
Sema – Acronym for Sefer Me'irat Einayim, commentary of the Choshen Mishpat section of Shulchan Aruch by Rav Yehoshua Falk (Poland, 1555-1614).
Semag – Acronym for the Sefer Mitzvot Gadol, written by Rav Moshe ben Yaakov of Coucy, France, in the thirteenth century.
Semak – Acronym for the Sefer Mitzvot Katan, written by Rav Yitzchak ben Yosef of Corbeil, France (died 1280).
Shaar Hatziyun – Footnotes to the Mishnah Berurah.
Shaarei Ezra – Responsa of Rav Ezra Basri, Sephardic dayan in Jerusalem, Israel.
Shach – Acronym for Siftei Kohen, the premier commentary to the Yoreh Deah and Choshen Mishpat sections of the Shulchan Aruch, authored by Rav Shabtai Hakohen of Vilna, Lithuania (1622 – 1663). He also wrote Gevurat Anashim.
The Shame Borne in Silence: Spouse Abuse in the Jewish Community – A discussion of spouse abuse from the perspective of a Torah scholar and psychiatrist, Rav Dr. Abraham Twerski, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Shapira, Rav Avraham – Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Merkaz Harav who served as Israel's Chief Rabbi from 1983 -1992.
Shaviv, Rav Yehudah – A Rebbe at Yeshivat Har Etzion and an editor of Techumin.
Shemirat Shabbat Kehichatah – A presentation of the laws of Shabbat by Rav Yehoshua Neuwirth. He resides in Jerusalem.
Sherman, Rav Avraham – Member of the Beit Din Hagadol of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate.
Sho'eIl Umeishiv – Responsa of Rav Yosef Shaul Nathanson, who served as Rav of Lemberg, Ukraine (1810 -1875).
Shulchan Aruch – The authoritative halachic work authored by Rav Yosef Karo; see Avkat Rocheil.
Shulchan Aruch Harav – Halachic work written by Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745 – 1813).
Sidrei Taharah – Discussion of the laws of nidah by Rav Elchanan Ashkenazi (late 18th century).
Singer, Rav Yosef – Rav in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, served as Rav in Pilzno, Galicia before World War II.
Solnica, Rav Hershel – Rav in Queens, New York and Rebbe in the Torah Academy of Bergen County.
Soloveitchik, Rav Aharon – Son of Rav Moshe Soloveitchik who serves as a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University and Yeshivas Brisk in Chicago.
Soloveitchik, Rav Chaim – Succeeded his father (the Beit Halevi) as the Rav of Brisk and authored commentaries to Rambam's Mishneh Torah and parts of the Talmud (1853 – 1918).
Soloveitchik, Rav Moshe – Son of Rav Chaim who served as a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University (1876 -1941).
Soloveitchik, Rav Yitzchak Zev – Succeeded his father (Rav Chaim) as Rav of Brisk, moved to Jerusalem in 1941, and authored a commentary to Rambam's Mishneh Torah (1886 -1959).
Soloveitchik, Rav Yosef Dov – Great grandson of the Beit Halevi and son of Rav Moshe who was a Rav in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva University (1903 – 1993). His students refer to him simply as "the Rav."
Taharat Habayit – Rav Ovadia Yosef's two volume work on Hilchot Nidah. It includes an abridged version entitled Taharat Habayit Hakatzar. See Yabia Omer.
Tashbetz – Responsa of Rav Shimon bar Tzemach Duran, a late Sephardic Rishon who served as a dayan in Algeria (1361-1444).
Taz – Acronym for the Turei Zahav, a major commentary to the Shulchan Aruch authored by Rav David Haleivi of Poland (1586 – 1667).
Techukah Leyisrael Al Pi Hatorah – Discussion of laws pertaining to the State of Israel by Rav Yitzchak Herzog. See Heichal Yitzchak.
Techumin – A halachic compendium published annually by the Zomet Institute in Alon Shvut, Israel.
Teitz, Rav Elazar Meyer – Rav of Elizabeth, New Jersey and head of its beit din; son of Rav Pinchas.
Teiz, Rav Eliyahu – Rav and Member of Beth Din of Elizebeth, New Jersey and son of Rav Elazar Meyer.
Teitz, Rav Pinchas – Rav of Elizabeth, New Jersey (died 1995).
Tendler, Rav Dr. Moshe David – Rosh Yeshiva and Professor of Biology at Yeshiva University; son-in-law of Rav Moshe Feinstein.
Terumat Hadeshen -Responsa of Rav Yisrael Isserlein of Germany (1390 – 1460).
Teshuvot Vehanhagot – Responsa of Rav Moshe Shternbuch, member of the Eidah Chareidit's Badatz (rabbinical court).
The Torah U-Madda Journal – A publication of Yeshiva University.
Torat Gittin – Work on the laws of Jewish divorce by Rav Yaakov of Lissa. See Netivot Hamishpat.
Tosafot – Talmudic commentaries of the Tosafists, Talmudic scholars in France and Germany in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
Tradition – A journal of Orthodox thought published by the Rabbinical Council of America.
Tukachinsky, Rav Yechiel Michel – Rav in Jerusalem who authored the Gesher Hachaim and Ir Hakodesh V'hamikdash (died 1955).
Twersky, Rav Mayer – Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University, grandson of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik.
Tur – A code of Halachah which served as the prototype of the Shulchan Aruch. It was authored by Rabbeinu Yaakov Baal Haturim, son of the Rosh (c. 1275 – c. 1340). He also wrote a commentary to the Torah.
Tzitz Eliezer – Responsa authored by Rav Eliezer Waldenberg, member of the Beit Din Hagadol of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, also authored Hilchot Medinah.
Waldman, Rav Menachem – Head of the Shvut Ami Institute, who has written extensively on halachic issues relating to Ethiopian Jewry.
Whitman, Rav Zev – Rav of Tenuva (milk production company), Israel.
Willig, Rav Mordechai – Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University and Rav of the Young Israel of Riverdale, New York.
Yabia Omer – Long responsa authored by Rav Ovadia Yosef, Sephardic halachic authority in Jerusalem and former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel. He has also written Teshuvot Yechaveh Daat, Taharat Habayit, and countless other works.
Yalkut Yosef – Expansive halachic code written by Rav Yitzchak Yosef, Rosh Kollel of Chazon Ovadia and son of Rav Ovadia Yosef.
Yam Shel Shlomo.- A commentary to the Talmud by the Maharshal, acronym for Moreinu Harav Shlomo Luria, who also authored responsa.
Yechaveh Daat – Short responsa authored by Rav Ovadia Yosef. See Yabia Omer.
Yesodei Yeshurun – Discussion of laws of Shabbat and Yom Tov by Rav Gedalia Felder who resided in Toronto, Canada, and also wrote Nachalat Tzvi (Died 1992)
Yisraeli, Rav Shaul – Rosh Yeshivat Merkaz Harav, Rosh Kollel of Eretz Chemdah, and member of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate's Beit Din Hagadol; author of Eretz Chemdah, Amud Hayemini, and other works (died 1995).
Yoreh Deah – One of the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch, which discusses the laws of kashrut, family purity, mourning, and other laws.
Yosef, Rav Ovadia – see Yabia Omer.
Zaks, Rav Mendel – Late son-in-law of Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan (see Mishnah Berurah) and Mashgiach Ruchani at Yeshiva University.
Zekan Aharon – Responsa of Rav Aharon Walkin, Lithuanian Rav who was murdered in the Holocaust (1865-1942).
Zimbalist, Rav Chaim – Member of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate's Beit Din Hagadol.