Reading Reform Responsa
Jewish Tradition, Reform Rabbis, and Today's Issues
Rabbi Mark Washofsky, PhD
Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2024
The responsa literature, in which rabbis answer questions about halachah (Jewish law), is a vast treasury reaching back nearly fifteen centuries; Reform rabbis have been writing responsa since the 1800s. In Reading Reform Responsa, Rabbi Mark Washofsky, PhD, presents a deep dive into this literature, boldly arguing that Reform Judaism is indeed a movement fundamentally based on halachah. By inviting and guiding readers to understand Reform responsa with a critical eye, he shows that our movement has always been informed by Jewish law as well as Reform history. A teacher and mentor of generations of students at Hebrew Union College--Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbi Washofsky gives us a peek inside his classroom, making Reform responsa---and their history, framing, and context---engaging and accessible for all.
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