Jacob ben Asher

Jacob ben Asher, also known as Baal HaTurim, was born around 1269 in Cologne, Germany, and died around 1343 in Toledo, Spain. He was a medieval rabbi and the author of the seminal work of Jewish law, the Arba'ah Turim, which structured and systematized the vast array of laws and customs governing Jewish life. His work laid the groundwork for the later Shulchan Aruch, which is still used as a primary source of Jewish law.

Jacob ben Asher was the third son of the famous Ashkenazi Rabbi, the Rosh (Rabbi Asher ben Jehiel), who greatly influenced his works. After fleeing persecution in Germany, the family settled in Spain where Jacob ben Asher continued his scholarly work. His Arba'ah Turim, or simply the Tur, is divided into four sections, covering different aspects of Jewish law: Orach Chayim, Yoreh De'ah, Even Ha'ezer, and Choshen Mishpat.

Beyond his legal writings, Jacob ben Asher is credited with the Baal Haturim commentary on the Torah, which is known for its concise and insightful comments based on numerical values and hidden messages in the text. This commentary was later included in many editions of the Chumash, making it accessible to a wide audience of Torah scholars and students alike.

Books

5 Vol Baal Haturim Chumash