Philosopher and Poseq- 107 ­

than an acceptance of the past per se as automatically authoriatative. Faith must be more than antiquarianism. Revelation presents a source of authority which transcends the customary usage of any generation."(68)

As we review the world of the liberal poseq we can see that it remains strangely limited. The Conservative movement which should have a large responsa literature, must yet develop it. Thus far internal strife has prevented successful efforts along these lines. On the other hand responsa in the Reform movement have grown in importance and the movement as a whole has gone in this direction.

The posqim in neither of the liberal movements have more than a working philosophy, largely pragmatic in its orientation. There is general agreement on the importance of halakhah for modern Judaism . Its divine origin is not questioned nor is the historical process of change, but the nature of that change and how such changes are to be made in our time is very much

debated. Furthermore there is also a great difference on the binding nature of the final decision. Seen from a philosophical point of view, these are major weaknesses, yet

pragmatically the system seems to work and be in consonance with aspects of the rabbinic past. Even while we await a philosophical rationale, we continue to make decisions and perhaps that is the only way we can proceed.