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16 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Practical Teshuvah Advice

Note: This Q&A deals with a circumstance unique to the questioner, and the reply is specific to her, and should not be seen as definitive general guidance. Nevertheless, we have included the exchange below as a practical example of error, regret and rectification. So pertinent to the season. Dear Rabbi Simon I am very troubled by an accidental aveirah (transgression)…

09 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Should Women Say Selichot?

Dear Rabbi Simon, I wanted to ask you if women are obligated to say Selichot every day? What is the best time to say it? Many thanks, Sally Dear Sally, There is no obligation per se, but I would regard it as meritorious to recite the Shema Kolenu sequence and one set of Viduy (confession) which follows, every weekday morning…

03 Aug 0Comments 0Likes

Kiddush in the Hospital

Note: This is recent Friday morning Q&A (from overseas) Dear Rabbi Simon, My stepfather is spending Shabbos in the hospital. Is it halakhically possible for me to recite kiddush for him at his bedside in the evening, without accepting Shabbos myself? I would like to drive home afterwards and accept Shabbos later (local sunset today is after 9:00pm). Thank you,…

22 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Laundry after Tisha B’Av

Dear Rabbi Simon, Lauren would like to know if she can launder clothes after the end of the fast of Tisha B’Av or must she wait until noon on the following day. Laundry is important to her for her mental health. Many thanks Benzi Dear Benzi, Thank you for your question. This year, as the 10th of Av is on…

08 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Shaving in the 3 Weeks

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question for you.  Are there any leniencies around shaving during the 3 Weeks/9 Days, such as on Erev Shabbos or for important business meetings? Thank you, Dave Dear Dave, Thank you for your question. There are grounds to permit shaving on Friday for the honour of Shabbos. This was our practice in Yeshiva (based…

01 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Travelling During the 3 Weeks

Dear Rabbi Simon, Is it possible to travel and more specifically to Israel during the 3 weeks/9 days? Thanks Dinah Dear Dinah, Thank you for your question. Three Weeks is fine. To travel to Israel I would allow during Nine Days as well. Avoid 8 or 9 Av. And stay safe. Best wishes, Rabbi Rashi Simon

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Candle-Lighting Query

Dear Rabbi Simon, I had a question on candle-lighting. I am going to Shabbat dinner in Hendon. To avoid being very late for dinner, I would need to go to shul in Hendon (much as I will miss the Kesher experience ????). As I understand it, in general it is fine for me to light in my flat before I…

20 May 0Comments 0Likes

Yom Tov Guests

Hi Rabbi Simon, I wanted to clarify the issue of inviting non-Jewish guests on Yom Tov.  My understanding is that it is allowed to invite people who are already formally engaged in the conversion process.  However, it is less clear to me for partners/friends of a Jewish person or people who are not yet part of the Beth Din program. …

22 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Answering “What Day of the ‘Omer?”

Dear Rabbi Simon, I wanted to check a matter regarding counting the Omer. Earlier today I was asked “what day of the ‘Omer is it?”. I already counted last night, but the person who asked me had not yet counted. I told him the correct day, but then someone else said I should not have done so–rather I should have…

31 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Lighting Candles in a Hotel

Dear Rabbi Simon Can I light my Yom Tov/Shabbos candles in the lobby of a hotel if I am unable to light in my room? Many thanks, Ora *** Dear Ora, Yes, you may. You should linger near the candles for a while to benefit from the light (or even the ambiance). 10 minutes or so after sunset is sufficient.…

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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