The Code of Jewish Law Celebrates a Milestone

Next year will mark the 450th anniversary of the death of Joseph Karo (1488–1575), author of the code of Jewish law known as the Shulhan Arukh (literally, “The Set Table”). Prior to its publication, there were several important works that tried to systematize the unwieldly corpus of talmudic jurisprudence, and there have been many more since. But this book carefully synthesizes its predecessors, and every one of its successors is on some level a commentary on the Shulhan Arukh, conferring upon it a uniquely authoritative status. Menachem Wecker writes:

Karo, whose name is variously spelled in English, was born in Spain. Four years after his birth year, Spain expelled its Jewish population, and Karo’s family fled to Turkey. Some 34 years later, he moved to Israel, settling in Safed, the city associated with Jewish mysticism and the Kabbalah.

Like other major Sephardi rabbis, Karo had his feet planted firmly in both Jewish ritual law—halakhah—and Kabbalah.

Karo’s work has been cited in multiple amicus curiae briefs submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. Edward Fram, a professor of history at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev . . . told JNS that Karo’s work remains timely “due to his scholarship, which is not to be underestimated, but no less significantly, because his work became a springboard for further discussion of the law, much of it in the margins of the printed text.”

Read more at JNS

More about: Halakhah, Judaism, Shulhan Arukh

What’s Behind Hamas’s Threat to Stall the Release of Hostages, and How Israel Should Respond

Feb. 12 2025

Hamas declared yesterday that it won’t release more hostages “until further notice.” Given the timing and wording of the announcement—several days before the release was supposed to take place, and speaking of a delay rather than a halt—Ron Ben-Yishai concludes that it is a negotiating tactic, aimed at “creating a temporary crisis to gain leverage.” Therefore, writes Ben-Yishai, “Hamas may reverse its decision by Saturday.” He adds:

Israel cannot afford to concede to Hamas’s demands beyond what is already outlined in the agreement, as doing so would invite continuous extortion throughout the negotiation process, further delaying hostage releases.

The group sees the public outrage and growing calls for action following the release of hostages in severe medical condition as an opportunity to extract more concessions. These demands include not only a rapid start to negotiations on the next phase of the deal and an end to the war but also smaller, immediate benefits, particularly improved conditions for displaced Gazans.

Beyond these tactical objectives, Hamas has another goal—one that Israelis do not always recognize: inflicting psychological pain on the Israeli public. The group benefits from, and perhaps even draws strength from, the anguish and emotional distress in Israel, as well as the testimonies of freed hostages detailing the abuse they endured. Hamas wants these stories to be heard—not only to pressure the Israeli government but also because, in the eyes of its supporters, Israel’s suffering is its ultimate victory.

Read more at Ynet

More about: Gaza War 2023, Hamas, Israeli Security