Klalei HaPoskim

Overview

In order to be privy to the nuances and mindsets of the Poskim, it is advantageous to understand the Klalim relevant to the Poskim, from the two Talmuds through the Rishonim to the Shulchan Aruch. The Machon Yerushalayim edition of the Yad Malachi is particularly helpful for this, as the Yad Malachi is fantastic for collecting all the ideas mentioned throughout Halachic literature and the Matnat Yado footnotes add many additional sources from those who came before and after him, as well as direct quotations of sources.

A number of these Klalim, such as Stam vaYesh and Yesh veYesh have much import in understanding many of the Rishonim, though the idea is only written out under the heading of one of them.

Safrut Chazal

• Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi, Tosefta, Midrashim, and Zohar

Klalei HaRishonim

• Geonim
• Baal Halachot Gedolot (Bahag)
• Rif
• Rambam
• Raavad
• Sefer Mitzvot Gadol (Samag/Semag)
• Rashi
• Tosafot
• Rosh
• Tur
• Maggid Mishneh
• Migdal Oz
• Ramban
• Rashba
• Ritva
• Ran

Klalei HaAcharonim

• Shulchan Aruch and Rama
• Chida

Further Reading

• Koreh HaDorot, Ahavat Shalom edition with footnotes of the Chida
• Kenesset HaGedolah, Klalei HaPoskim
• Yad Malachi, especially the Machon Yerushalayim annotated edition
• Yair Ozen / Ein Zocher, by the Chida
• Shem HaGedolim, by the Chida
• Kol HaChaim, by Rav Chaim Palagi
• Sdei Chemed, Klalei HaPoskim (in some editions, vol. 6, page 55, and vol. 9, page 125 in others)
• Ein Yitzchak vol. 1, by Rav Yitzchak Yosef