Rema

רמ"א

Rabbi Moshe Isserles (also known by his acronym, Rema - רמ"א, for Rabbi Moshe Isserles) was a prominent 16th-century Polish rabbi, halachic authority, and Talmudic scholar. He is best known for his work on Jewish law and for his commentary on the Shulchan Aruch, the code of Jewish law authored by Rabbi Yosef Karo.

Here are key details about him:

  • Birth and Death: Rabbi Moshe Isserles was born in 1530 in Krakow, Poland, and passed away in 1572.

  • Shulchan Aruch: The Rema's most famous contribution is his glosses (notes) to Rabbi Yosef Karo’s Shulchan Aruch. While Rabbi Karo wrote the Shulchan Aruch based on Sephardic customs and interpretations of Jewish law, the Rema added annotations to reflect the customs of Ashkenazi Jewry. His glosses ensure that both Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions are represented in the standard text of Jewish law.

  • Works: Besides his glosses to the Shulchan Aruch, Rema also authored several important works, including:

    • Torat HaOlah: A philosophical and mystical work about the sacrifices and the Temple.
    • Darkei Moshe: A commentary on the Arba'ah Turim, a legal code that preceded the Shulchan Aruch. This work later became the basis for his notes on the Shulchan Aruch.
    • Responsa: Rema also wrote Sh’eilot U’teshuvot (questions and answers), which are responsa on halachic matters.
  • Legacy: The Rema is considered one of the greatest Ashkenazi halachic authorities. His rulings shaped the development of Jewish law in Ashkenazi communities for centuries, and his integration of Sephardic and Ashkenazi customs allowed the Shulchan Aruch to become a unified, central text for Jewish law, widely accepted across different Jewish communities.

  • Krakow Synagogue: A synagogue in Krakow, built in the 16th century, is named after him—the Rema Synagogue, where he once served as rabbi.

Rabbi Moshe Isserles' influence on Jewish law remains foundational, and his works are studied to this day in yeshivot and Jewish legal discourse around the world.