Klalei HaPoskim

Source: Halachipedia: Klalei HaPoskim

Link: https://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Klalei_HaPoskim

Categories: Rules for Determining Halacha

Alt Names: Klalim, Rishonim

Exported: 2025-12-30

Overview

In order to be privy to the nuances and mindsets of the Poskim, it is advantageous to understand the Klalim relevant to the Poskim, from the two Talmuds through the Rishonim to the Shulchan Aruch. The Machon Yerushalayim edition of the Yad Malachi is particularly helpful for this, as the Yad Malachi is fantastic for collecting all the ideas mentioned throughout Halachic literature and the Matnat Yado footnotes add many additional sources from those who came before and after him, as well as direct quotations of sources.

A number of these Klalim, such as Stam vaYesh and Yesh veYesh have much import in understanding many of the Rishonim, though the idea is only written out under the heading of one of them.

The Chida writes how important it is to learn the chronological/historical/bibliographic details of Sefarim, because it alleviates many uncertainties and prevents one from entertaining mistaken understandings, as is evidenced by the many times he uses such details to resolve issues throughout Shem HaGedolim.¹

Safrut Chazal

Klalei HaRishonim

Some Rishonim are know by the same acronym, which can be confusing. See Disambiguations of Rishonim for clarification.

Geonim Rashi Maharam Rutenberg Ramban Tosfot Rid
Baal Halachot Gedolot (Bahag) Tosfot Rosh Ra'ah Riaz
Rif Sefer HaTerumah Tur Rabbeinu Yonah Shiltei HaGibborim
Rambam Baal HaIttur Rabbeinu Yerucham Rashba Maharik
Raavad Rash MiShantz Mordechai Ritva R' Ovadia MiBartenura
Baal HaMaor Sefer Mitzvot Gadol (Smag/Semag) Hagahot Maimoniot Ran Maharil
Ra'avan Ra'avyah Hagahot Ashri Nimukei Yosef Kol Bo
Rabbi Eliezer MiMitz Sefer HaTerumot Maggid Mishneh Trumat HaDeshen
Meiri Migdal Oz Orchot Chaim
Rivash
Tashbetz

Klalei HaAcharonim

Further Reading

References

¹: Shem HaGedolim (Sefarim, Tet 11)