The Case of Feminism— Mechanisms of Change 73

the pattern sought by the Conference of working with a committee, which he partially followed. A collection of the responsa issued by the Committee and published by the Conference, albeit in mimeographed form, may have represented at least a semi-conscious objection to Freehof’s style of going it alone.*®® This slim volume was another indication that the path of responsa in an advisory role would be taken more seriously. Yet they remained either advisory or provided traditional grounding after a significant resolution had been passed. That was the case with“Patrilineal Descent .” The Resolution was adopted in March,1983 and I was a member of that committee. The rabbinic tradition had been thoroughly discussed in the committee proceedings and was mentioned in the committee report. The committee, however, did not request a responsumas part of its report. My responsum on the subject was not issued till October 1983.”

I took the role of the committee seriously and under my chairmanship the Responsa Committee undertook the task of reviewing the existing responsa of the Conference and adding material that brought them in line with contemporary thought. That volume Was published by the Conference. This step, somewhat akin to the older halakhic process of adding commentary to an existing work. Responsa now were more than a few pages in the Yearbook and became more important in the individual decisions of rabbis and congregants. Significant new questions were asked in greater numbers; As not all could be discussed without endless delay for those Who had asked the question, only the most significant were subject to committee discussion and the decisions represented the committee. Aside from preparing a text to which the committee could respond and make its suggestions, my main task was two-fold. I sought to avoid Minority opinions as those who asked sought an answer, not a choice. Secondly the answer while perhaps containing some compromise due 0 the committee process, still needed to be firm with a specific direction. These responsa and others which I gave outside the Ommittee process made responsa more important to the Reform