Blessing on Survival

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Dear Rabbi Simon,
What is the bracha you can give to a Holocaust survivor?
Haim

Dear Haim
Difficult to say as a general rule, as every case is different, including also the individual’s relationship with Judaism and religion as a whole. But I would think something along the lines of:
Your life is a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit and of the Jewish People, against all odds. May you continue to behold the triumph of survival over the forces of evil and hatred. You are an inspiration to the generation. Am Yisrael Chai.
Best wishes
Rabbi Rashi Simon

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Ask the Rabbi: Quinoa on Pesach
Dear Rabbi Simon,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,
Tzippy
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Dear Tzippy,
In line with other American authorities, I am in favour of quinoa. Although I reject completely the voices (mostly from Israel) seeking to abolish the ban on kitniyot entirely, IMO we do not need to include in the prohibition pseudo-grains that were unknown in the Old World until modern times. Best to buy with a Pesach hechsher though, to be free of any possible wheat contamination.
Rabbi Rashi Simon
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