AVRAHAM BEN DAVID OF POSQUIÈRES (c. 1125–1198), known by the acronym RaʾABaD (Rabbi Avraham ben David). Avraham ben David is best known for his original and versatile contributions to the literature of halakhah. He composed commentaries on various types of Talmudic literature: on the Mishnah (e.g., ʿEduyyot and Qinnim); on the Talmud (e.g., ʿAvodah Zarah and Bavaʾ Qammaʾ); and on halakhic midrashim (e.g., Sifraʾ). Further works include responsa (Heb., teshuvot, decisions concerning the interpretation of application of the law), which reveal his character and method; homiletic discourses (e.g., Derashah le-Roʾsh ha-Shanah); codes of rabbinic law; and critical annotations or glosses (hassagot) on standard works of rabbinic literature.

The most important and influential of Avraham ben David's codes, which include Hilkhot lulav (Laws concerning the palm branch), Ḥibbur harsha...