Chapter 11 >> o
THE RESPONSA OF RABBI SOLOMON B. FREEHOF A Reappraisal*
have learned in the tractate of Ta’anit(2%):
Mishenikhnas adar marbin b’simhah—“ when Adar enters, our joy increases”. It is hard to say that this year, due to the ongoing violence and terrorism in the State of Israel . Nonetheless, I am happy to participate in this symposium for three reasons. Iam happy to see that so many Reform rabbis have come to Jerusalem for the CCAR Convention despite the Intifada . 1am happy to see the growing interest in halakhah and mitzvot within the Reform movement, as is evident from the new Pittsburgh Platform of 199% Finally, I am happy to honor my friend , Rabbi Dr. Moshe Zemer , who has had an important impact on Israeli society through his articles in Ha'aretz and Davar and through his book Halakhah Shefuyah (Evolving Halakhah). He has also had an important impact on the Reform movement through these symposia and through the series of volumes published by the Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah. May it be God ’s will that Moshe continue to study and teach ad meah v'esrim.
I shall divide my remarks about the responsa of Rabbi Freehof into six sections: his biography, the breadth of his interest and knowledge; his responsa and other halakhic works; his attitude t0 halakhah and rationale for writing responsa; a comparison of the responsa in Reform Responsa— his first volume of responsa— to his stated rationale and conclusions.