Halakhah (Hebrew: הֲלָכָה) is the collective body of Jewish religious laws derived from the Written and Oral Torah. Literally translated as "the path" or "the way of walking," it serves as a comprehensive guide for every aspect of Jewish life, including religious, civil, and criminal conduct.
Core Components
Halakhah is composed of three primary levels of authority:
Biblical Law (Mitzvot d'Oraita): The 613 commandments found directly in the Torah, such as the Ten Commandments and dietary laws (Kashrut).
Rabbinical Law (Mitzvot d'Rabbanan): Laws instituted by sages to protect Torah laws (often called "fences") or to address evolving societal needs.
Custom (Minhag): Long-standing traditions that have gained the status of law over time through community practice.
Key Sources
The development of Halakhah is documented in several foundational texts and systems:
The Talmud: A vast collection of rabbinic debates and discussions interpreting the Torah.
Mishneh Torah: A 12th-century systematic code of Jewish law written by Maimonides.
Shulchan Aruch: Compiled in the 16th century by Joseph Karo, it remains the most widely accepted code of Jewish law today. For modern rulings, scholars often consult the Sefaria Halakhah Library.
Responsa (Teshuvot): Formal rulings issued by leading rabbis in response to specific modern questions regarding technology, medicine, and ethics.
Perspectives Across Movements
While all branches of Judaism recognize Halakhah as part of their heritage, its application varies:
Orthodox Judaism: Views Halakhah as a divinely ordained, binding system that remains constant even as its application evolves to meet modern circumstances.
Conservative Judaism: Emphasizes "tradition and change," viewing Halakhah as binding but subject to deliberate evolution and historical development.
Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism: Generally regards Halakhah as a non-binding historical and cultural guide rather than a strictly mandatory legal code.