responsa
Pronunciation: [rɪˈspɑːnsə]
Word
Context: "religion"
(noun) responsa are answers or rulings given by Jewish legal scholars on questions of Jewish law. It's like asking a teacher for help with a tricky problem, and they give you guidance that you can follow.
Example
The rabbi provided responsa to help the community understand the new laws.
Example
There were no responsa available for the difficult questions the students had.
Example
What responsa have been issued regarding this law in our community?
Context: "history"
(noun) In a historical context, responsa refers to written replies from scholars to specific questions that often reflect the social and legal issues of their time. It’s like a letter where someone shares important advice based on their knowledge.
Example
Scholars study ancient responsa to learn about the customs of earlier Jewish communities.
Example
Many of the responsa from that period are lost, making it hard to understand their society.
Example
How did the responsa of the past influence modern practices?
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