responsarabbinic

Responsa rabbinic, often referred to as teshuvot or sh’eilot u-teshuvot in Hebrew, is a genre of Jewish legal writing consisting of written answers by rabbinic authorities to questions about Jewish law (halakhah). Each responsum presents a question, sets out the facts, presents legal arguments, cites earlier sources, and concludes with a ruling and practical guidance. The genre serves as a bridge between Talmudic argumentation and later codifications, enabling new debates to be addressed across generations.

Historically, early forms appear in the Geonic era (roughly the 6th–11th centuries) when the Geonim issued letters containing halakhic guidance to communities. Medieval responsa flourished in both Ashkenaz and Sepharad, with notable figures such as Rabbeinu Asher (the Rosh) and Rashba (Shlomo ben Aderet) producing extensive bodies of responsa addressing questions from courts, communities, and individuals. In later centuries, responsa continued to accompany the growth of Jewish law as it adapted to new technologies, diasporic communities, and changing circumstances; major later authors include the Chasam Sofer and many others who wrote comprehensive collections.

Format and influence: A responsum typically begins with a formal question, provides a detailed legal analysis, and ends with a directive that may specify conditions, caveats, or practical steps. They rely on traditional sources—Talmud, Mishnah, medieval codes—and are cited by later authorities to clarify or modify rulings. Collections of responsa were published in multi-volume works and continue to be produced by contemporary rabbis in print and digital editions. Responsa have shaped Jewish practice by addressing questions on ritual observance, civil law, communal governance, and ethics, and they illustrate the dynamic process of halakhic interpretation.

See also: She’elot u-Teshuvot, Halakha, Talmud, Jewish law.