The Concise Code of Jewish Law: A Guide to Daily Prayer and Religious Observance (Revised Edition)
By Rabbi Gersion Appel; revised edition edited by Rabbi Daniel Goldstein
OU Press and Maggid Books
First published in 1977 and now presented in a revised edition edited by Rabbi Daniel Goldstein, Rabbi Dr. Gersion Appel’s Concise Code of Jewish Law: A Guide to Daily Prayer and Religious Observance is a carefully structured and highly accessible contribution to the modern literature of practical halachah. This volume covers the areas of daily observance and is divided into four sections. Part I contains the laws of prayer and the synagogue, from waking up in the morning until going to sleep at night, in addition to the laws of daily Torah study, tzitzit, tefillin and mezuzah. Part II contains the laws of berachot for every day and special occasions. Part III contains the laws of kashrut necessary for every Jewish home, and Part IV, titled “Acknowledging the Divine Order,” includes such prohibitions as tattooing and grafting trees and such obligations as the duty to protect human life and property.
The foundation of this work is the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Rav Shlomo Ganzfried’s classic digest of Jewish law, long beloved for its concision and clarity. While the Shulchan Aruch remains the definitive halachic reference, its complexity and breadth can overwhelm the average reader. The Kitzur, meanwhile, though concise and practical, was written in the nineteenth century and reflects the needs and realities of that time. Rabbi Appel’s Concise Code takes the logical order of the Kitzur as its foundation but supplements it with material from other classical sources—such as Chayei Adam, Chachmat Adam and the Mishnah Berurah—while also incorporating halachic annotations drawn from contemporary responsa literature.
This last feature is the most significant innovation of Rabbi Appel’s work. While the body of the text presents an adaptation of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (or, where relevant, the Chayei Adam or Chachmat Adam), annotations on almost every page incorporate relevant halachic insights and modern applications from contemporary works and responsa, such as Rabbi Moshe Feinstein’s Iggerot Moshe, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s Yabia Omer and Rabbi Eliezer Waldenburg’s Tzitz Eliezer. In this revised edition, Rabbi Daniel Goldstein has updated the annotations to incorporate the halachic literature that has been published since the first edition, including, for example, the works of Rabbi Hershel Schachter and Rabbi Eliezer Melamed. These halachic annotations are accompanied by a section of Hebrew references at the end of the volume. In addition, Rabbi Goldstein has made the work even more user-friendly by refining the language to feel fresh and relevant for twenty-first-century readers. The result is a code that preserves the clarity of the Kitzur while updating its application for the modern era.
A few of the relevant topics discussed in the halachic annotations include: Should techelet be worn today? May one enter a shul with a cellphone? May one enter a shul with a gun? How should one daven when on an airplane? May one dispose of newspapers containing Divrei Torah? Can one kasher a dishwasher? May one recite HaGomel in the presence of ten people over Zoom? These topics and many others like them found in this volume demonstrate the need for this work, which addresses not only classical halachic issues but also the ever-evolving real-world scenarios to which halachah must be applied.
The genius of The Concise Code lies in its accessibility. Newcomers to Jewish practice will find the book approachable and practical, while experienced students of halachah will appreciate the extensive notes that point toward further study. Glossaries, indices and topical references make navigation easy, while the structure—mirroring the rhythm of Jewish life—ensures that learning feels natural and connected. In his introduction to the volume and throughout, Rabbi Appel weaves into his legal discussions the spiritual ideas that give Jewish law its depth of meaning.
Since its first publication in 1977, The Concise Code has guided thousands toward a fuller, richer Jewish life. With this revised edition, his vision is carried forward for today’s world. In short, this work captures the beauty of halachah as both a framework for daily action and a gateway to spiritual connection. This updated edition ensures that Rabbi Appel’s vision will continue to inspire and guide yet another generation toward living a life of Torah and mitzvot in both detail and spirit.