There is little to say concerning the style of Rashi's
Responsa. In the setting forth and the discussion of
the questions under consideration, his usual qualities are
present--precision, clearness, soberness of judgment.
But the preambles--sometimes a bit prolix--are written
after the fashion prevailing among the rabbis of the
time, in a complicated, pretentious style, often affecting
the form of rhymed prose and always in a poetic jargon.
With this exception, the Responsa do not betray the least
straining after effect, the least literary refinement. The
very fact that Rashi did not himself take the precaution
to collect his Responsa, proves how little he cared to
make a show with them, though, it is true, the custom
of gathering together one's Responsa did not arise until
later, originating in Spain, and passing on to Germany.
As I shall immediately proceed to show, it was Rashi's
disciples who collected the Responsa of their master and
preserved them for us, at least in part.

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