Joseph ben Ephraim Karo, also spelled Yosef Caro, or Qaro (Hebrew: יוסף קארו‎; 1488 – March 24, 1575, 13 Nisan 5335 A.M.),[1] 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 (Hebrew: הַמְחַבֵּר, "The Author") and as Maran (Aramaic: מָרַן‎, "Our Master").[2]