Festivals & Jewish Calendar

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Hatarat Nedarim (Annulment of Vows) for Women

Note: There is a widespread custom to annul any doubtful vows on erev Rosh HaShanah by reciting a set text in the presence of an ad hoc beth din of three laymen. Dear Rabbi Simon Are women obligated in Hatarat Nedarim? If so, can this be done at home, without 3 adult males in attendance? Where (ideally online) can I…

17 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Yom Kippur Footwear

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Dear Rabbi Simon Can you please advise on suitable footwear options for Yom Kippur? I have been suffering from knee pain (too much running?) and so I would like a halakhic solution which offers support for my heel. What about an ankle brace? I know I will be on my feet much of the day on Yom Kippur. Many thanks,…

01 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Not-yet-Jewish Guest for Yom Tov

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Dear Rabbi Simon, We have a candidate for conversion (through the LBD) lodging with us. We would like to invite a friend of hers (similar, not-yet-Jewish status) for a yom tov meal. I am aware that this gives rise to halakhic complications, and I have even been advised that we may not extend such an invitation altogether. This seems harsh…

31 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Do I have to Fast on 9 Av?

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Note: This Q&A exchange took place on the 8th of Av 2024. Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question about the Fast of 9th Av. I collapsed today and couldn’t eat or drink anything until some tonic water just now. Even fluids come up. I’m massively dehydrated and there’s no way I’ll be able to eat the pre-fast seudah, not even boiled…

24 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Questions for the “9 Days”

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Dear Rabbi Simon, I have heard that air travel should be avoided in the Nine Days. Is it true that flying is not allowed from Rosh Hodesh (beginning of the month) until after the Fast of Av? Many thanks, Francis *** Dear Francis, For a mitzvah purpose (such as Aliyah or even visiting Israel, parents, Torah study, etc), I would…

17 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Sewing in the “Three Weeks”

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Dear Rabbi Simon, What rules apply to sewing/alterations during the Three Weeks? Many thanks, Sue Dear Sue, Thank you for your question. Sewing, ie weaving or fashioning a new garment should be avoided during the period known as the Three Weeks (ie the 22 days from the Fast of 17 Tamuz until 9 Av, inclusive). If you refer only to…

21 May 0Comments 0Likes

Kiddush Levana

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Dear Rabbi Simon, Today [30 March 2025] is Rosh Chodesh Nissan, but as you pointed out in shul yesterday, the new moon was already visible in Yerushalayim earlier on Shabbat morning. In view of this (excuse the pun), could we have recited Kiddush Levana (Sanctification of the New Moon) after Shabbat last night already? Lev Dear Lev Thank you for your…

14 May 0Comments 0Likes

Shabbos Crunch Time?

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Dear Rabbi Simon, Am I allowed to eat leftover Matzah from Pesach instead of bread for Shabbos? Matt Hi Matt, Sure. There is no objection to using matzah (in place of challah) for Shabbos. Use whole rather than broken pieces to fulfil the mitzvah requirement of lehem mishneh. By the way, there are those who have the minhag of using…

01 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Haircuts in the Omer

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Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question concerning haircuts in the Omer: I am unaware of a family minhag in this regard. My paternal great grandfather was from Courland in Latvia. What is the minhag to follow in this case, regarding haircuts, shaving, etc during the weeks between Pesach and Shavuot? Shall I observe the days from Rosh Chodesh Iyyar…

26 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Shabbat Hot Plate for Pesach

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Dear Rabbi Simon, We have a new (very hot) Shabbat plattah – which we have kept covered in foil when using for Shabbat. Am I allowed to use it for milky food or—looking ahead–for Pesach, if I change the foil (which I would anyway do each time I use it)? Thanks, Paltiel Dear Paltiel If you clean the plattah and…

Questions & Answers

this week

Questions and Answers

Ask the Rabbi: Quinoa on Pesach

Dear Rabbi Simon,
Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach?
Many thanks,

Tzippy

***
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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