The second and concluding installment of our look at Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's introduction to his collected responsa, where he sets forth his theory of why the contemporary posek (halakhic authority) is entitled - and even obligated - to undertake the daunting task of speaking in the name of Torah and halakhah. Does his view of the matter have anything to teach us? Does it have anything in common with our own progressive outlook?

Get the source sheet at www.freehofinstitute.org/podcast.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, one of the leading Orthodox poskim(halakhic authorities) of the 20th century, was certainly no liberal or progressive. But his theory of halakhic decision has much to teach us. At least… we think so, and in the next several episodes we’re going to explore that theory, which he sets forth in the הקדמה (introduction, preface) to his collected responsa.

Part 1: why maybe I shouldn’t have been a posek!

Download the source sheet at www.freehofinstitute.org/podcast.

Most Orthodox poskim will tell you that, to be a valid ("kosher") witness, a person must be an Orthodox Jew, that is, observant of ritual halakhah according to Orthodox standards. So: a Jewish wedding ceremony is valid kiddushin only if it is witnessed by two Orthodox Jews. We have two questions: 1) how do they know this? and 2) is it true?

Download the source sheet at www.freehofinstitute.org/podcast