3 Weeks/9 Days

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27 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Shaving in the 3 Weeks

Background Note: According to Ashkenazi practice, one generally does not shave (or get a haircut, or trim) during the “3 Weeks”, that is, from the Fast of 17 Tammuz until after the Fast of 9 Av. However, in some cases allowance may be made for extenuating circumstances. Dear Rabbi Simon I have a few important meetings at my (long-awaited) new…

14 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Cutting Nails During the “Nine Days”

Dear Rabbi Simon, My wife recently asked me if we are allowed to cut our nails during the Nine Days of Av leading to the Fast of Tisha B’Av. I consulted the book Laws of Daily Living: The Three Weeks, Tisha B’Av and Other Fasts by Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen. On p. 37, it says: “All authorities agree that nail…

27 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Buying a Car During the Three Weeks

Hi Rabbi Simon, B”H I passed my driving test today and we are looking into getting a car. This is somewhat time-sensitive as I’m due w the baby pls G-d in 3 weeks and it would be ideal to get the car as soon as possible, before the baby comes.  But seeing that we’re in the Three Weeks and fast approaching…

16 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Haircut for Shabbat during 3 Weeks?

Hi Rabbi Simon, I hope you are well. I was surprised to learn that the restrictions during bein hametzarim [the interval from 17 Tammuz until 9 Av, often known as the Three Weeks] are only minhag and not actually enacted by the Sages of the Talmud (ie D’Rabbanan). I read your reply re shaving on Friday during the Three Weeks…

29 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

How Early the Fast?

Dear Rabbi Simon, I was wondering why you are starting the fast of 17 Tamuz (this past Tuesday 11 July 2017) at 3.43 am, when most sources I can find say 1.35am? Regards Steven Dear Steven The simple answer to your question is that I am following the straightforward approach of Dawn = 72 minutes before sunrise. Others calculate based…

29 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Swimming Lessons during the Nine Days

Hi Rabbi Simon. I wanted to ask you about signing up Zev for swimming classes during the 9 days.  There is a summer swim crash course for children happening from July 24th-28th, which happens to be right at the start of the 9 days.  I know there are prohibitions against swimming, but I wanted to check with you if I’m…

22 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

La Rafle

Dear Rabbi Simon, You may have seen advertising for the French film “The Round Up”, a story based on the arrest and detention of Parisian Jews in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1942. Would one be able to go to see such a movie during the 3 Weeks / 9 Days? As an aside, the film has received rather average ratings, but…

22 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Purchasing property in the 9 Days

Dear Rabbi Simon, We may have found a property to purchase. The property has tenants in who vacate on Friday 20 July and my lawyers are aiming to complete the purchase on this day. This is of course Erev Tisha B’Av. Would your advice be to complete on this day or to delay, and if so would completing on Monday 23 July…

Questions & Answers
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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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