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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

The /De Poenitentia/ and the /Responsa Moralia/ of De Lugo served as models of what might be called mixed treatment, partly scientific and partly casuistical.

From History of the Catholic Church from the Renaissance to the French Revolution — Volume 1 by MacCaffrey, James

The Responsa of Rashi dealing with martyrs and converts no doubt sprang from these sad conditions.

From Rashi by Szold, Adele

Fortunately we can get to know him a little better through his letters, that is, through the Responsa addressed by him to those who consulted him upon questions of religious law.

From Rashi by Szold, Adele

Besides Responsa, he left the "Halakot," or "Little Talmud," which Is a pruning down of the entire Talmud, so as to present only what is useful for establishing the norm, deduced by Alfasi himself.

From Rashi by Szold, Adele

Besides numerous and important Responsa he wrote Talmudic commentaries and a compendium of the Talmud bearing his name.

From Rashi by Szold, Adele