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Responsa

American

[ri-spon-suh] / rɪˈspɒn sə /

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 British

/ rɪˈspɒnsə /

noun

the plural of responsum
that part of rabbinic literature concerned with written rulings in answer to questions

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Responsa

1895–1900; < New Latin; plural of responsum

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Philosopher, scholar, didactic poet, and commentator of the Bible, he left authoritative Responsa, Talmudic commentaries, collections of rabbinical jurisprudence, and a Hebrew dictionary, which has been lost.

From Rashi by Szold, Adele

He is known chiefly for his commentaries and his Responsa.

From Rashi by Szold, Adele

He addressed Responsa to Rashi on questions of Talmudic jurisprudence.

From Rashi by Szold, Adele

The passage in question is taken from these Responsa, No.394.

From Rashi by Szold, Adele

As I shall immediately proceed to show, it was Rashi's disciples who collected the Responsa of their master and preserved them for us, at least in part.

From Rashi by Szold, Adele

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023