New Version of The Shulchan Aruch
At a young age, Shneur Zalman was asked by his teacher, Dovber of Mezeritch to recodify the Shulchan Aruch of Yosef Karo - incorporating commentaries on that work, as well as subsequent responsa - so that laymen would be able to study Jewish law. Shneur Zalman was qualified for this challenging task and completed composition of his Shulchan Aruch at the age of twenty. His phenomenal familiarity with Rabbinic literature was complemented by a gift for lucid exposition. His logical and highly trained mind could not tolerate ambiguity or obscurity. The work thus states the decided halakha, as well as the underlying reasoning.
The Maggid of Mezeritch, the second leader of Hasidism, recognised the abilities of the young Schneur Zalman in mastery of both the legal Talmudic aspects of Torah study, and the mystical. Among the "Chevra Kadisha" (Holy Society) of elite disciples in Mezeritch, Schneur Zalman was affectionately known as "the Litvak" for his analytical mind. After the death of DovBer, Schneur Zalman was appointed to spread Hasidism in White Russia, adjacent to the Lithuanian stronghold of Mitnagdic opposition. In the academy of Mezeritch, it is related that he would study Torah in chavrusa (parnership) with Rabbi Avrohom HaMalach ("The Angel"), son of DovBer. He would guide Rabbi Avraham in Talmudic scholarship, and the Malach would teach him Hasidic philosophy.
Read more about this topic: Shulchan Aruch HaRav
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