Halachot: Hagim – Rabbi Yitzhak Berdugo

Halachah has always been a cornerstone of Sephardic Jewry.

The first halachic work rooted solely in the practical conclusions of the Talmud was Sefer Hahalachot by the Rif (Rabbi Yitzhak Alfasi). His groundbreaking work presented the practical rulings of the Gemara in a clear and definitive fashion, revolutionizing halachic study.

Building on this foundation, the Rambam (Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon) codified every halachah—relevant both to contemporary times and the future Messianic era—in his monumental Mishneh Torah. Written in a systematic and accessible format, scholars and laypeople alike were able grasp the intricacies of halachah.

As Jewish communities began to diverge in their halachic practices, Rabbi Yosef Karo, affectionately known as Maran (“our master”), compiled the Shulchan Aruch. His goal was to unify and clarify halachic observance, ensuring that all of Israel can follow a clear path in Torah practice.

Halachot: A Compendium of the Rulings of the Great Sephardic Authorities follows this time-honored tradition, presenting the great Sephardic halachic opinions in a manner that is well-defined, practical, and easy to absorb.

About the author:

Rabbi Yitzhak Berdugo, a South Florida native, studied at Yeshivat Beth Moshe Chaim (Talmudic University) in Miami Beach, where he received semichah under the guidance of its rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yochanan Moshe Zweig.

He also received ḳabbalah in sheḥiṭah and lung inspection from Rabbi Eliyahu Ben-Ḥaim, rosh yeshiva and av bet din of Badatz Meḳor Ḥaim in Queens, New York. In addition, he is a certified mohel, having completed his training at the London School of Circumcision, and is also a trained sofer stam.

Most recently, he completed the dayanut program for Yadin Yadin through the Eretz Hemdah Institute of Jerusalem and the Montefiore Endowment, receiving approbation from Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, former Chief Rabbi of Israel and Jerusalem.

In the tradition of the distinguished Berdugo family of rabbanim, Rabbi Berdugo has authored numerous writings on halachah, including his own responsa on a wide range of topics. Deeply inspired by the early Rishonim of Andalusia, he has translated several of their works and remains committed to furthering their legacy.

Having dedicated his life to teaching Torah, Rabbi Berdugo previously served as a rosh kollel. He now resides in Hollywood, Florida, where he serves as the Sephardic rabbi at Young Israel of Hollywood.

Dimensions 6X9
ISBN 9781961602779
Publisher Mosaica Press
Number of pages 600
Item # 8818
Binding type Hard Cover
Weight 2.53