Halakha is the Hebrew term for the body of Jewish religious law. The word comes from a Hebrew root associated with walking or going, conveying the idea of a way of life governed by religious practice.
Halakha draws on the written Torah, rabbinic interpretation, the Talmud, later legal codes, and responsa written by Jewish scholars. It addresses areas including prayer, festivals, dietary practice, business ethics, marriage, mourning, and Shabbat observance.
The term is broader than a single book or code. Important works that organize halakhic material include the Mishneh Torah by Maimonides, the Shulchan Aruch by Joseph Karo, and later commentaries and rulings. Different Jewish communities may follow different halakhic interpretations.
A common mix-up is confusing halakha with aggadah, which refers mainly to non-legal rabbinic teachings and narratives. Kabbalah is another distinct term, referring to Jewish mystical traditions rather than the entire legal system.