Posekim

(sing. posek). Rabbinic scholars who determine the Halakhah (Jewish law) in specific cases and whose decisions are regarded as authoritative in the geographic area under their jurisdiction. This restriction arose from the fact that, in making his decision, the posek took into account local traditions and customs. The term is used in contrast to the scholar who devotes himself to analyzing the sources of the halakhah in rabbinic literature for their own sake.

The authoritativeness of a decision by a posek was gauged by his reputation as a master of talmudic learning and not by any official position he might hold or by the prestige attached to that position. In addition to his learning, the posek was expected to have considerable practical experience in rendering judgment in actual cases.

While the Babylonian Talmud is the most important source of Jewish law, in most instances it summarizes the debate on a topic without giving any definite ruling. From the seventh century on, queries addressed to rabbinical authorities (initially the ge'onim) requested decisions on points of law, and these were provided in the replies (see Responsa). Collections of these decisions began to appear, the earliest including the She'iltot of R. Aḥai of Shabḥa (8th cent.). Halakhot Gedolot and Halakhot Pesukot were the forerunners of the later literature of the posekim.

As the Talmud required systematization, great scholars engaged in the work of Codification and they often had to give rulings as to what they considered halakhah. These authorities included Isaac Alfasi, Moses Maimonides, Abraham Ben David of Posquières, Asher Ben Jehiel, Jacob Ben Asher, Joseph Caro, and Moses Isserles.

Concise volumes of rabbinical decisions were compiled by Shneur Zalman of Lyady, R. Abraham Danzig (Ḥayyé Adam), and Solomon Ganzfried ("Abbreviated Shulḥan Arukh"). Collections have also appeared relating to specific subjects and in modern times connected with the developments of technology (see Halakhah and Technology). Notable among the 20th-century posekim is R. Moses Feinstein, whose decisions are regarded as authoritative in contemporary Orthodox circles.

Reform Judaism rejected the authority of the Shulḥan Arukh and insisted on the right of each rabbi to render his own decisions without being bound by any code. However, advice is often sought, and notable responsa guiding such decisions have been issued by Solomon Freehof.

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