Posek (plural Poskim) is a Hebrew word meaning "one who makes a legal decision"; a posek is a rabbi who decides complicated cases of Jewish law and custom, where previous authorities are inconclusive.In order to be a posek one must become a rabbi by obtaining semicha (rabbinic ordination). Different denominations of Judaism have different requirements for becoming a rabbi. After becoming a rabbi one generally needs to become an expert in a class of rabbinic literature called " responsa". These are collections of enquiries and replies in Jewish law. Responsa have been composed since the early medieval era, and proliferated in the last few centuries.
As described in their respective entries, Orthodox Judaism and Conservative Judaism have different methodologies in how they approach Jewish law.
Important works of responsa are, for example, the responsa of Rabbi Moses Sofer (known as the Hatam Sofer) and, more recently, those of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein.
In Conservative Judaism and Masorti Judaism, the role of poskim is less predominant. The rulings of any one individual are considered less binding than a consensus ruling. The Conservative movement's Rabbinical Assembly maintains a Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, whose decisions are accepted as authoritative.
Poskim are not found in Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism, as these denominations do not hold that Jewish law is normative (i.e. accepted as binding.) Further, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Seminary does not have a series of formal courses in Jewish law; they instead offer a one semester overview on the subject. This is because Reconstructionist Judaism holds that Judaism is more of a culture than a religion, and thus focuses on studies of culture, philosophy and history.
1 See also
Halakha, TorahTorah [] is a Hebrew word meaning teaching instruction or especially Law''. It primarily refers to the first section of the Tanakh, i. the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. These books are Genesis Bereishit []), Exodus Shemot []), Leviticus Vayikra [], Rabbi
2 References
- N. S. Hecht et. al. An Introduction to the History and Sources of Jewish Law, Oxford University Press.
- Louis Jacobs A Tree of Life: Diversity, Creativity, and Flexibility in Jewish Law, second edition 1999, Littman Library of Jewish Civilization.
- Mendell Lewittes Jewish Law: An Introduction, Jason Aronson Inc.
JudaismJudaism is the religion and culture of the Jewish people and the first recorded monotheistic faith. The tenets and history of Judaism constitute the historical foundation of many other religions, including Christianity and Islam. Star of David, a common s
