Teshuvot, or responsa, are the way much halacha has been settled since the Talmudic era. When the Reform movement started, did it continue this tradition of leading rabbis writing teshuvot, or did it stop the practice? If Reform rabbis do indeed write teshuvot, have any been accepted by Traditional Judaism?
This is similar to my Sadducee question but only here I am asking about the reform movement.
Reform Judaism has responsa which are intended to address practical issues within the framework of Reform Judaism. (As noted by JoshK in comment.)
As for something “new”, one example is the question of whether a transgender female (with objectively male external genetalia) who converts need a milah gerim. I am not sure that is addressed specifically elsewhere.
A ruling that is considerably different involves “who is a Jew?” A person with a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother, who also does public acts of Jewish identity, is Jewish. (Note: As I understand it, contrary to popular belief, it is not simply “either parent Jewish = child is Jewish,” it is just that they do not require conversion anymore.)
I am not aware of anything that started with Reform and was adopted by Orthodox Rabbonim.
To see the Reform responsa, including some that have since been superseded, look up the Central Conference of American Rabbis. On their page is “Rabbinic Voice” which leads to “Reform responsa.”
The CCAR applies Jewish scholarship and transition to contemporary issues through the creation of Reform Responsa, based on the historic Jewish system of providing answers to questions about Judaism and Jewish living.
I will add the link if it is allowed on this site.
Disclaimers:
I am not Reform and do not claim to represent their position.
It is possible that you should ask your Rav if you are permitted to read the responsa.
