ARUCH HASHULCHAN – compendium by Rabbi Yehiel Michel Epstein (Russia, 1829–1908) that follows the order of the Shulchan Aruch.
BADEI HASHULCHAN – commentary on the parts of Shulchan Aruch relevant to hilchot niddah by Rabbi Feivel Cohen (New York, contemporary).
BNEI BANIM – collection of responsa by Rabbi Yehuda Herzl Henkin (Israel, contemporary). Many include the opinions of his grandfather Rabbi Yosef Eliahu Henkin.
CHATAM SOFER – responsa by Rabbi Moses Sofer (Germany, 1762–1839).
CHAVOT DAAT – commentary on Shulchan Aruch by Rabbi Yaakov Lorberbaum (Poland, 1760–1832).
CHAZON ISH – Rabbi Avraham Yeshayah Kareliz (Bnei Brak, 1878–1953).
IGROT MOSHE – collection of responsa by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (New York 1895–1986).
MISHNAH BRURAH – Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (Poland, 1839–1933). Commentary on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. [Rabbi Kagan is also known as the Chofetz Chaim, the title of his work on Lashon Hara.]
MORDECHAI ELIYAHU – Contemporary posek in Israel (1929–2010). Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi. His book Darchei Taharah is widely used in Israel to teach brides.
NODA BI–YEHUDAH – collection of responsa by Rabbi Ezekiel ben Judah Landau (Poland 1713–1793) Also authored Dagul Merevava, comments on the Shulchan Aruch.
OR ZARUA – R. Yitzchak ben R. Moshe of Vienna (c. 1180–c. 1250).
PITCHEI TESHUVAH – work by R. Abraham Zvi Hirsh Eisenstadt (Lithuania, 1813–1868) that summarizes the rulings of hundreds of responsa, organized according to the corresponding sections of the Shulchan Aruch.
RAMBAM – Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (Maimonides) (Spain, 1138–Egypt, 1204), authored Mishneh Torah (also known asYad Ha-Chazakah), which summarizes the entire oral law.
RAMBAN – Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (Nachmanides) (Spain, 1194–Israel, 1270).
RASHBA – Rabbi Solomon ben Abraham Aderet (Spain, 1235–1310). His book on hilchot niddah is known as Torat Ha-Bayit.
RAN – Rabbi Nissim ben Reuven of Gerona (Spain, 1320–1380). his works on hilchot niddah are found in his commentary to the code of the RIF (Alfasi).
RASHI – Rabbi Solomon Yitzchaki (France, 1040–1105). Wrote essential commentaries to the Bible and Talmud.
RAVAD – Rabbi Abraham ben David (Provence, 1120–1198). Most of his opinions on hilchot niddah are found in his book Baalei Hanefesh and his glosses to the Mishna Torah of the Rambam.
REMA – Rabbi Moses ben Israel Isserles (Poland 1525 (1530?)–1572) – glosses (hagahot) to Shulchan Aruch which reflected Ashkenazic halachic practice.
RIF – Rabbi Yitzchak Alfasi (Algeria, 1013–Spain, 1103) – author of one of the first codes of Jewish Law which follows the order of the Talmud.
ROSH – Rabbi Asher ben Yechiel (Germany, 1250–Spain, 1327). His rulings on hilchot niddah are found in his commentary on the tractate Niddah and are brought in the compendium, the Tur, written by his son.
SHACH – Rabbi Shabbetai ben Meir Ha-Kohen (Lithuania, 1621–1662)’s Siftei Kohen (acronym: Shach) is one of the most important commentaries on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah. His Nekudot Ha-Kesef is a response to R. David Ha-Levi’s commentary on Yoreh De’ah (see Taz).
SHIUREI SHEVET HALEVI – Rabbi Shmuel Halevi Wosner (Bnei Brak, contemporary). This book, notes from lectures given, is organized according to the Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah.
SHULCHAN ARUCH – by Rabbi Joseph ben Ephraim Caro (Spain, 1488–Safed, 1575). His main work is the Bet Yosef, an encyclopedic commentary on Rabbi Jacob ben Asher’s halachic code, the Tur. The Shulchan Aruch is a concise rendition of Rav Caro’s rulings.
TAZ (Turei Zahav) – R. David Ha-Levi’s commentary on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah.
TUR (short for Arba Turim or four columns) – a halachic work by Rabbi Jacob ben Asher (Spain, 1275–1340, the son of the ROSH) on which the SHULCHAN ARUCH is based.
TZITZ ELIEZER – collection of responsa, with many on issues of medicine and halacha, by Rabbi Eliezer Judah Waldenburg (Israel, contemporary).
YABIA OMER, YECHAVEH DA’AT – collections of responsa by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef (Israel, contemporary), former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel.