poskim

Poskim are rabbinic authorities who determine halakha, Jewish law, by interpreting and reconciling the sources that govern Jewish practice. The term is the plural of posek, meaning “one who decides.” A posek issues rulings (psak or psak din) on questions ranging from everyday conduct to highly technical legal questions.

Poskim ground their rulings in classical sources such as the Talmud and early codes, and in later codifications and commentaries (for example, the Tur, Beit Yosef, Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, and Shulchan Aruch). They also study later authorities and a broad corpus of responsa (she’elot u-teshuvot) in which other sages pose questions and receive rulings. In formulating a psak, they weigh textual evidence, legal principles, precedent, and practical considerations such as place, time, and local customs (minhagim). Technological, medical, and social developments can prompt new questions that require reinterpretation within established halakhic frameworks.

Poskim influence communal practice through published rulings, community guidelines, and halakhic literature. In many communities a leading posek or a school of poskim—sometimes referred to as the posek hador, or “decisor of the generation”—helps shape norms and kosher, prayer, and ritual practices. Rulings may differ among authorities, reflecting diverse interpretations of sources, which practitioners resolve by following the guidance of their local or preferred posek.

Spheres of influence vary across denominations and traditions. Orthodox communities routinely rely on poskim for guidance, while other streams may use different legal authorities or approaches. Regardless, poskim play a central role in translating ancient texts into contemporary practice.