Posek
A Posek (Hebrew פוסק , plural Poskim , פוסקים , Latin decisor ) is a Jewish scholar who can make a binding decision ( Psak din , Psak halacha , plural Pessakim ) when interpreting religious laws that govern the Jewish Orthodox way of life ( Halacha ) affect.
A decisor either puts down his interpretation of the law in writing, as is e.g. B. in the Mishne Torah of Maimonides exemplarily the case, or formulates binding statements on individual questions, the responses . A large number of rabbis and scholars of the Middle Ages and early modern times carried this honorary title.
Every Orthodox rabbi is trained in such a way that he can perform decisory functions within his community .
The term is applied to the rabbinical authorities from the conclusion of the Talmud to the present day, with the following classification:
- Kadmonim (the earliest), up to the 10th century ( Saadja );
- Rishonim (the first), up to the 15th century ( Alfassi , Maimonides ), Isaac ben Mose (Or Zarua);
- Acharonim (the last), 16. – 18. Century ( Jakob ben Ascher , Josef Karo , Mose Isserles )