CCAR Reform Responsa Collection

The Complete CCAR Reform Responsa Collection.

An annual subscription to the Complete CCAR Responsa Collection allows you to access any of the Responsa, anywhere, at any time. As new volumes of Responsa are created, they will be added to the collection.  (Please note, this is for online access only. Downloadable pdfs must be purchased separately.)

CCAR members are entitled to a special membership discount on the annual subscription. See the Members' Only section of the CCAR website for the discount code.

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• American Reform Responsa: Collected Responsa of the Central Conference of American Rabbis 1889-1983 Walter Jacob American Reform Responsa: Collected Responsa of the Central Conference of American Rabbis 1889-1983
  Abstract:

  

  Originally published in 1983, this collection was edited by Rabbi Walter Jacob, then the Chair of the CCAR Responsa Committee. This collection deals with such questions as: should a remarried woman observe a deceased husband's yahrzeit? Is euthenasia ever permissible? May a shofar be sounded on Shabbat? Must an adult convert be circumcised? Should funeral services be held for suicides? May a woman wear a tallit? Responsa are rabbinic answers to actual questions of Jewish law and practice, and throughout history have provided a guiding force in shaping Jewish life.

  Authors: Walter Jacob
  Keywords: Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; ethics, medical ethics; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; talmud, codes; intermarriage, sexuality, masturbation, circumcision, bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah
• Contemporary American Reform Responsa Walter Jacob Contemporary American Reform Responsa
  Abstract:

  

  When is abortion permitted? Should smoking be banned in synagogue buildings? Do we recited Kaddish for a convicted criminal? May human blood be sold for medical purposes? What is the Reform position on the use of mikvah?

  These questions and more are the topic of this volume, edited by Rabbi Walter Jacob and originally published in 1987. The questions included in this volume reflect the concerns of Reform Jews at the time the book was published, and much of it is still relevant today.

  Authors: Walter Jacob
  Keywords: abortion, wills, charitable giving, debt; Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; ethics, medical ethics; talmud, codes; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs
• Contemporary Reform Responsa Solomon B. Freehof Contemporary Reform Responsa
  Abstract:

  

  Can a synagogue share a building with a Unitarian Church? Can a religious marriage be performed without a civil marriage? Is it allowed to photocopy from books? Must a convert be buried in a Jewish cemetery?

  These questions and more are the topic of this volume, edited by Dr. Solomon Freehof and originally published in 1974. The questions included in this volume reflect the concerns of Reform Jews at the time the book was published, much of which is still relevant today.

  Authors: Solomon B. Freehof
  Keywords: Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; talmud, codes; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; Israel,; cremation; copyright; organ donation
• Current Reform Responsa Solomon B. Freehof Current Reform Responsa
  Abstract:

  

  This volume of Responsa was originally published in 1969 by Dr. Solomon Freehof, a leading scholar and Chair of the Responsa Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. In these Responsum, Dr. Freehof presents his responses to questions concerning the observance and intrepretation of traditional Jewish customs and law. Topics include conversion, holiday observance, medical ethics, ritual concerns, drug use, gambling, and much more.

  Authors: Solomon B. Freehof
  Keywords: Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; talmud, codes; ethics, medical ethics
• Modern Reform Responsa Solomon B. Freehof Modern Reform Responsa
  Abstract:

  

  This volume of Responsa deals with such questions as whether Torah can be read on Friday nights, wearing a Tallit in Reform services, and questions related to marriage, conversion, and more. Originally published in 1971, this collection provides insight into questions that were of critical importance at that time.

  Authors: Solomon B. Freehof
  Keywords: Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; abortion, wills, charitable giving, debt; ethics, medical ethics; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; talmud, codes; converts
• New Reform Responsa Solomon B. Freehof New Reform Responsa
  Abstract:

  

  Published originally in 1980, this volume of Responsa deals with such questions as kidney transplants, the role of Gentiles in synagogue services, holiday observance, burying Gentiles in Jewish cemeteries, dealing with aging parents, and other questions related to the realities of Jewish life.

  Authors: Solomon B. Freehof
  Keywords: Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; ethics, medical ethics; organ donation; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; talmud, codes; converts; intermarriage; Jewish holidays
• Questions and Reform Jewish Answers: New American Reform Responsa Walter Jacob Questions and Reform Jewish Answers: New American Reform Responsa
  Abstract:

  

  Shall CPR be given to the frail elderly? Can genetic engineering be patented? Can there be a berit for Messianic Jews? May a tallit be worn at an interfaith service? May a criminal be a member of the congregation? Must a Jewish lawyer defend terrorists? These are just a few of the questions answered in this volume, which includes 246 Responsa. Originally published in 1992, many of these questions are still relevant for Jewish life today.

  Authors: Walter Jacob
  Keywords: Jewish holidays; Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; abortion, wills, charitable giving, debt; talmud, codes; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; music, synagogue, cantor, rabbi, naming, Torah, Shabbat, congregation, ark, kashrut, adoption, tzedakah, mezuzah, AIDS, funeral, fetus
• Recent Reform Responsa Solomon B. Freehof Recent Reform Responsa
  Abstract:

  

  Can women serve as pall-bearers? Is it appropriate to refer to God as YHVE? May a bar mitzvah take place on Shabbat Shuvah? What are acceptable medical uses of a fetus? What names are to be avoided? Can a convicted accountant serve as a congregational officer? Must a sperm donor be Jewish in order for the fetus to be Jewish? These are some of the questions dealt with in this collection. Originally published in 1963, many of these questions are still relevant today.

  Authors: Solomon B. Freehof
  Keywords: Jewish holidays; Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; marriage, women,; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; talmud, codes; prayer, synagogue, burial, funeral, wedding
• Reform Responsa Solomon B. Freehof Reform Responsa
  Abstract:

  

  This volume of Responsa, originally published in 1960, answers such questions as: May a memorial service be held on Shabbat? What is the role of a stepfather at a bar mitzvah? Can a congregational gift shop be open on Shabbat? Must an Ark be centered on the bima? Is it acceptable to marry an apostate daughter of a Jewish mother? Should a dying patient be informed of his condition? What to do when a body is lost at sea? These questions and more shed light on the issues of concern to the Jewish community when this book was first published, and still provide insight today.

  Authors: Solomon B. Freehof
  Keywords: Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; talmud, codes; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; gun, suicide, smoking, sexuality; prayer, synagogue, burial, funeral, wedding
• Reform Responsa for Our Time Solomon B. Freehof Reform Responsa for Our Time
  Abstract:

  

  Originally published in 1977, this back-in-print classic offers a historic look at the concerns of an earlier generation. The questions and answers in this book deal with issues of Jewish ritual observance, holidays, life cycle events, synagogue life, birth, death, medical ethics, abortion, and much more. Though some issues are dated, this volume offers timeless wisdom and unique insights into Jewish thought

  Authors: Solomon B. Freehof
  Keywords: Reform Judaism; Reform Jewish History; Reform Rabbinate; CCAR History
• Reform Responsa for the Twenty-First Century (Vol 1) Editor, Mark Washofsky Reform Responsa for the Twenty-First Century (Vol 1)
  Abstract:

  

  Reform Responsa for the Twenty-First Century: Sh’eilot Ut’shuvot  is the latest in an ongoing series of Reform Responsa.  Drawing from the breadth of traditional and modern Jewish texts, law, and ideology, this two volumes set addresses over seventy contemporary topics, including conversion of adopted children, fertility treatments, patrilineal descent, issues of synagogue management, social justice activism, interfaith marriage and rituals of death and mourning. 

  (This is volume 1 of 2.)

   

  Authors: Editor, Mark Washofsky
  Keywords: Reform Halacha; Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; Reform Judaism; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; Birth; Burial; Halacha; Interreligious Affairs; Israel,; Jewish Education; Jewish Holidays; Jewish life cycle; Kashrut; Kiddushin; Marriage; Mitzvah; Mourning; Prayer, Prayer book; Rabbinic Authority; Tzedakah; Shabbat Observance; abortion, wills, charitable giving, debt; abortion, conversion, get, divorce, finances; ethics, medical ethics; cremation; gun, suicide, smoking, sexuality; intermarriage; intermarriage, sexuality, masturbation, circumcision, bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah; marriage, women,; music, synagogue, cantor, rabbi, naming, Torah, Shabbat, congregation, ark, kashrut, adoption, tzedakah, mezuzah, AIDS, funeral, fetus
• Reform Responsa for the Twenty-First Century (Vol 2) Editor, Mark Washofsky Reform Responsa for the Twenty-First Century (Vol 2)
  Abstract:

  Reform Responsa for the Twenty-First Century: Sh’eilot Ut’shuvot  is the latest in an ongoing series of Reform Responsa.  Drawing from the breadth of traditional and modern Jewish texts, law, and ideology, this two volumes set addresses over seventy contemporary topics, including conversion of adopted children, fertility treatments, patrilineal descent, issues of synagogue management, social justice activism, interfaith marriage and rituals of death and mourning.

  (This is volume 2 of 2.)

  Authors: Editor, Mark Washofsky
  Keywords: Birth; Blessings; Burial; Conversion; Covenant; Death; Erev Shabbat; Family Blessings; Funeral; Halacha; Interreligious Affairs; Israel,; Jewish Education; Jewish Home; Jewish life cycle; Kashrut; Kiddushin; Liturgy; Marriage; Mitzvah; Mourning; Ordination; Prayer, Prayer book; Rabbinic Authority; Raising Jewish Children; Reform Halacha; Reform Judaism; Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; Reform Rabbinate; Religious Practice; Shabbat Observance; Tzedakah; abortion, conversion, get, divorce, finances; abortion, wills, charitable giving, debt; converts; copyright; cremation; ethics, medical ethics; intermarriage; intermarriage, sexuality, masturbation, circumcision, bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah; marriage, women,; music, synagogue, cantor, rabbi, naming, Torah, Shabbat, congregation, ark, kashrut, adoption, tzedakah, mezuzah, AIDS, funeral, fetus; organ donation; prayer, synagogue, burial, funeral, wedding; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; talmud, codes
• Teshuvot for the Nineties: Reform Judaism's Answers to Today's Dilemmas W. Gunther Plaut and Mark Washofsky Teshuvot for the Nineties: Reform Judaism's Answers to Today's Dilemmas
  Abstract:

  

  This volume of Responsa draws from traditional and contemporary principles in addressing many provocative questions. Topics include apostasy, medical procedures with patient consent, genome research, intermarriage, treatment of the terminally ill, and more than 200 others. Originally published in 1997, this collection contains much that still speaks to us today.

  Authors: W. Gunther Plaut and Mark Washofsky
  Keywords: Jewish holidays; Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; ethics, medical ethics; talmud, codes; prayer, synagogue, burial, funeral, wedding; abortion, conversion, get, divorce, finances; gun, suicide, smoking, sexuality; marriage, women,
• Today's Reform Responsa Solomon B. Freehof Today's Reform Responsa
  Abstract:

  

  The questions dealt with in this collection of Responsa from 1990 include: Can the Shofar be blown on Shabbat? Can you say kaddish when worshiping alone? Can a Jew join a Unitarian Church? Is abortion warranted in the case of mother who contracted German measles? What to do when the deceased has specified that there be no funeral and no mourning? Is it acceptable to get married with a borrowed ring? Can unpaid synagogue pledges be taken to civil court? Is there any Jewish objection to the choice to bottlefeed and not breastfeed?

  Authors: Solomon B. Freehof
  Keywords: Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; Jewish holidays; talmud, codes; ritual, marriage, transplants, conversion, burial, holidays, drugs; marriage, women,; prayer, synagogue, burial, funeral, wedding
• Topical Index of Reform Responsa CCAR Topical Index of Reform Responsa
  Abstract:

  This topical index to the Complete CCAR Responsa Collection is a helpful guide to locating the material you're looking for.  Includes references to all the volumes of Reform Responsa.  Also includes a useful guide to the sources. 

  Authors: CCAR
  Keywords: Birth; Blessings; Burial; Candlelighting; Chanukah, Purim; Conversion; Death; Fasting; Funeral; Halacha; Havdalah; Interreligious Affairs; Israel,; Jewish Holidays; Jewish Home; Jewish life cycle; Kashrut; Kiddushin; Liturgy; Marriage; Mitzvah; Mourning; Passover; Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot; Prayer, Prayer book; Rabbinic Authority; Reform Judaism; Reform Judaism, Responsa, Jewish, Jewish Questions; Religious Practice; Rosh Chodesh; Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur; Shabbat Observance; Shabbat; abortion, conversion, get, divorce, finances