Ba'er Hetev

באר היטב

The Ba'er Hetev is a commentary on the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch, primarily authored by Rabbi Yehudah Ashkenazi, a dayan (judge) in Tykocin, who wrote on the sections Orach Chayim and Even Ha'ezer. It was completed by Rabbi Zechariah Mendel of Belz, who wrote on the sections Choshen Mishpat and Yoreh De'ah.

Since its first printing in 1742 ( תק"ב), the commentary has become widely distributed and is now printed in all editions of the Shulchan Aruch.

The work was intended as an extension to an earlier work of the same name by Rabbi Yeshayahu ben Avraham, which summarized the rulings found in the Magen Avraham and Taz. That earlier version was well-received and widely used among Jewish communities. However, due to the author's financial constraints, it was printed in a very condensed format. Rabbi Yehudah of Tykocin then authored his version as an expanded continuation of the original Ba'er Hetev, which is no longer extant, possibly due to Rabbi Yehudah's more comprehensive work. Rabbi Yehudah also included rulings from various responsa and additional halachic works.

Over the generations, various scholars have annotated the Ba'er Hetev, although these were adjusted in new and revised editions of the Shulchan Aruch.

Due to the commentary's significance, the Chafetz Chaim chose to print it alongside the Mishnah Berurah, along with Sha'arei Teshuvah, which he cited extensively in his notes.

Shiurim in this topic
1454. The Unique Joy and Spiritual Elevation of Purim Compared to Yom Tov שמחת פורים הייחודית וההתעלות הרוחנית לעומת יום טוב
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2098. The Custom of Not Cutting a Boy's Hair Until Age Three המנהג שלא לגלח שערות הבן עד גיל שלש
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3384. Upsherin Should Be on the Third Birthday, Its Auspiciousness and Success התספורת צריכה להיות ביום השלישי להולדתו, השעה טובה ומוצלחת
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3438. The Sephardic Custom of Upsherin at Meron and the Age for the First Haircut מנהג הספרדים של אפשערעניש במירון וגיל התספורת הראשונה
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454. Eating Before Dawn, Sephardic Custom of Repeating Mizmor Shir on Friday Night אכילה לפני עמוד השחר, מנהג הספרדים באמירת מזמור שיר פעמיים בליל שבת
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