Rishonim

Rishonim (Hebrew - sing. Rishon) literally "the first," or "the former," is a term referring to the leading Rabbis and Poskim who lived approximately from 1250 to 1500, that is in the era before the writing of the Shulkhan Arukh and following the Geonim. Rabbinic scholars subsequent to the Shulkhan Arukh are known as " Acharonim - the latter".

Related Topics:
Hebrew - Rabbi - Poskim - Shulkhan Arukh - Geonim - Acharonim

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The distinction between Rishonim and Geonim is meaningful historically; in Halakha (Jewish Law) the distinction is less important. Halakha is hierarchical and precedent based, thus a Rishon may differ with another Rishon - or with a Gaon - but his opinion is valid only insofar as it is based on that of an Amora.

Related Topics:
Halakha - Gaon - Amora

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