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• Responsa
  Responsa

  noun

  the branch of rabbinical literature comprised of authoritative replies in letter form made by noted rabbis or Jewish scholars to questions sent to them concerning Jewish law.
• responsa
  responsa

  noun

  the plural of responsum

Responsa

American  

[ri-spon-suh] / rɪˈspɒn sə /

noun

1. the branch of rabbinical literature comprised of authoritative replies in letter form made by noted rabbis or Jewish scholars to questions sent to them concerning Jewish law.

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responsa British  

/ rɪˈspɒnsə /

noun

1. the plural of responsum

2. that part of rabbinic literature concerned with written rulings in answer to questions

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Etymology

Origin of Responsa

1895–1900; < New Latin; plural of responsum

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Responsa responsa

He addressed Responsa to Rashi on questions of Talmudic jurisprudence.

From Rashi by Adele Szold

There is little to say concerning the style of Rashi's Responsa.

From Rashi by Adele Szold

Though his correspondents were not so widely scattered, the subjects touched upon by Rashi in his Responsa are very varied in character.

From Rashi by Adele Szold

It thus includes both the case law of the English and the Responsa Prudentum of the Romans.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 3 "Fenton, Edward" to "Finistere" by Various

The case to which I refer may be found in the Responsa Zebi Hirsch.

From The Book of Delight and Other Papers by Israel Abrahams

Second, brief compilations of precepts, like the works of Hefez ben Yazliah and the responsa of some geonim.

From A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy by Isaac Husik

His responsa were celebrated for their insight into the principles of Law, and for the minute knowledge they displayed.

From The History of Roman Literature From the earliest period to the death of Marcus Aurelius by Charles Thomas Cruttwell

The "futwa," therefore, seems to correspond not so much with our English "decisions" or "precedents" as with the "responsa prudentum," that fertile source of doctrines in the Roman law.

From International Weekly Miscellany - Volume 1, No. 9, August 26, 1850 by Various

The work from which it is taken is a collection of legal opinions, which had in their day the force of judicial decisions—of something equivalent to the "responsa prudentum" of Roman jurisprudence.

From International Weekly Miscellany - Volume 1, No. 9, August 26, 1850 by Various

Then recourse was had to notes, comments, glosses, reports, responsa prudentum, learned readings: eagle stood against eagle: authority was set up against authority.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 01 (of 12) by Edmund Burke