Halachah - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch

Make known to them the way they are to go and the practices they are to follow (Exodus 18:20).

Welcome to Halachah - Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 

Learning Halachah, Jewish law, is of utmost importance, as it teaches a Jew how to live a life of Torah and Mitzvot. It teaches man what G-d wants. And by learning the law, a person establishes a connection with the Divine will.

The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, an abridged version of the Code of Law, was authored by Rabbi Shlomo Gantzfried in the 19th century and contains 221 chapters discussing the most relevant laws to ordinary daily Jewish life.

Immensely popular for its simplicity and clarity, it has become a classic guide to the daily observance of a Jew. The style of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch is organized, straightforward and very easy to use, and is used by scholars and laymen alike to obtain an overview or review of the breadth of Jewish law.

Rulings of the Alter Rebbe and Chabad Customs

New in 5785: In addition to the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, which rules according to the accepted Ashkenazic tradition, your Chayenu now includes the Halachic rulings for the Chabad community. 

This section is from the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Im Piskei Admor Hazaken U’minhagei Chabad by Rabbi Levi Bistritsky A”h and Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Raskin, based on the Shulchan Aruch Harav - the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch and other sources of Chabad tradition and customs. 

Authored by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chasidism, by the directives of his master and teacher, Rabbi Dovber of Mezritch, the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch has become the Halachik authority for Chabad followers.

Thank you to the Kehot Publication Society for the permission to use their texts.

Make the Most of Your Kitzur Study

There is no better time to learn the laws that teach one how to live a life of Torah and mitzvos. Why not start now?

Reasons and benefits

It was taught in the academy of Eliyahu: Whoever studies Jewish law every day is assured a life in the World-to-Come.

— Megillah 28b

Is Torah study greater or the performance of mitzvot greater? Rabbi Tarfon declared that performance is greater, and Rabbi Akiva declared that study is greater. They all declared, Torah study is greater, for it brings to the performance of Mitzvot.

— Kiddushin 40b

Jewish laws (Halachos) are the crown of Torah.

— Megillah 28b

Jewish Laws (Halachos) reflect the Divine will, which transcends the Divine intellect.

— Tanya, Igrot Kodesh, epistle 29

Halachah in Your Chayenu — Video