The Arukh HaShulkhan was written by Yechiel Michel Epstein in 19-th
century CE. Arukh HaShulkhan means "laying the
table,” an obvious
allusion to the Shulkhan Arukh , "the set table,” which is the most
authoritative Code of Jewish Law. Arukh
HaShulkhan derives each law and custom using a clear, ground-up
analysis of its source in the Torah, Talmud, the opinions of the
pre-1550 CE rabbis called the Rishonim, supporting his already
developing opinion with the views of the Acharonim (later authorities),
occasionally disagreeing with them, and arrives at a final decision. The
work abides by the quadripartite structure of the Shulkhan Arukh, and
hence comes in four books, subdivided into chapters, which are again
subdivided in paragraphs. Unlike Shulkhan Arukh and other legal codes,
Arukh HaShulkhan is not divided into paragraphs and subparagraphs,
rather, the sections of each book is divided into paragraphs which are
narratives ach discussing an independent issue.There
is a marked lack of laws dealing with idol worship, which has been
either omitted, or outlawed from being printed in Russia, due to fear
of insulting the Christian government.The work
may easily lead the reader to suppose that the author tried to apply a
lenient view, but his impression is due to the language dealing with
the reality of life under the rule of Tsarist Russian where Epstein
takes extra effort to stress the rabbinical requirement of obeying the
rule of the land. The application of Jewish laws, therefore, becomes
preserved without any compromise.Arukh HaShulkhan often
refers to the Mishnah Berurah, a work written earlier by Rabbi Yisrael
Meir Kagan (the Chafetz Chaim), which is the main source of law for
yeshiva alumni. Arukh HaShulkhan, however, due to following the
structure of the Shulkhan Arukh, elucidates more laws.