Our first edition of "A Semicha Aid for Basar Bechalav" was accepted by the Semicha learning community across the spectrum of Jewry with open arms and used as a vital tool for studying, retaining, and reviewing the complex laws studied within the text. In this new edition, we can proudly present a Halachic masterpiece, a real Panim Chadashos! To understand the level of novelty that this level contains, one need look no further than its over doubling of the number of pages in comparison to the previous edition. The previous edition contained 155 pages, while this edition includes 338 pages! So what have we added? We have carefully combed through every single Halacha, fixed editing mistakes, as well as Halachic obscurities that require clarification. Many Halacha's were reorganized and given a thorough introduction to give the Rabbinic student an even greater measure of clarity in his learning and understanding of the subject. Hundreds of new cases, Q&A, and thousands of new references in Poskim have been added. Much of this was allocated from the known Sefer of Rabbi Yaakov Chaim Sofer, known as Kaf Hachaim, which was carefully reviewed from chapters 87-97, word by word, and incorporated into the material in its full context. Hence, this new edition boasts of a work of immeasurable scholarship, giving the reader the full spectrum of opinions in Poskim, Halachic questions, and a detailed final ruling that is to be followed. The opinion of the Shulchan Aruch Harav has been carefully allocated to each relevant Halacha, based on laws he wrote in other parts of Shulchan Aruch [particularly in the laws of Pesach] for those who follow his rulings. The Sefer "Piskei Yoreh Deah" was carefully reviewed in this process. The differences in rulings between the Ashkenazim and Sephardim have been explicitly noted in their relevant areas, so students of every domination can know how to follow. Thus, while the previous edition served as an excellent review guide and summary for one already familiar with the subject, this Sefer serves as literal Chavrusa which guides the student throughout his learning. The scholar and layman alike will find Halachic novelties and cases that were not covered in the basic learning of the Shulchan Aruch text, and help complete and solidify his grasp of knowledge on the subject.
About the Author: Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world's leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. There he dealt with various Halachic issues relating to soldiers in his unit. Since then he has become a certified Shochet, and taught classes in Halacha and Chassidus in the Jerusalem area. Rabbi Goldstein currently lives with his wife Shayna and nine children in Tzfas, Israel in which he serves through his classes to spread the knowledge of Nigleh and Chassidus to the public.