A Popular Dictionary of Judaism
Authoritative answers to *halakhic queries. Letters of responsa were sent between the *academies in *talmudic times and from the *geonic period, responsa were the major source of the dissemination of the *Oral Law throughout the *Diaspora.
Queries were sent to the *yeshivot; they were discussed and the final letters of responsa were signed by all the senior *rabbis of the *yeshivah. Collections of responsa were also made and circulated. *Orthodox authorities continue to give responsa to this day which frequently deal with problems arising from modern technology such as whether it is permissable to open the refrigerator on the *Sabbath.
This is the complete article, containing 101 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
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