Joseph ben Ephraim Karo, also spelled
Yosef Caro, or
Qaro (1488 – March 24, 1575), was author of the last great codification of Jewish law, the
Shulchan Aruch, which is still authoritative for all
Jews pertaining to their respective communities. To this end he is often referred to as
HaMechaber and as
Maran (
Aramaic:
"Our Master").