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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…

29 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Sukkah Design

Dear Rabbi Simon, After 15 years of faithful service, the timber of our Succah is now rotting and requires replacing. I am designing a new timber succah and want to clarify a couple of halachic issues. 1) In order to make the sechach more wind resistant , I want the sechach to rest on wooden battens six inches below the top…

29 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Music to my Ears

Dear Rabbi Simon I have a question which has being troubling me since I read an article on the split between Orthodoxy and Liberalism in the Jerusalem Report. The article makes mention that during temple times, musical instruments were permitted on the Shabbat. I have the following questions: Is this correct? If correct, then why cannot we use musical instruments…

26 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Dog Food??

Dear Rabbi Simon, Interesting question from a new client with his puppy… ‘What rules apply to dog food in a strictly kosher home?’ I have always been of the opinion that as it’s the dog that’s eating the food there shouldn’t be an issue, but I think the client has a point about wet, canned food and the storage of…

25 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Hanukkah on the Road

Ask the Rabbi: Hanukkah on the Road     Dear Rabbi Simon I shall be on holiday in Israel please G-d over part of Chanukah, staying with different friends. Am I included in their candles? Or do I need to light my own each night? Many thanks, Orah Dear Orah, Thank you for your question, and kudos to you for thinking…

25 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

More Music to my Ears on Shabbat

Dear Rabbi Simon, Interesting Ask the Rabbi entry in last week’s KC [click Kesher Connections newsletter to see the Q&A]. Would whistling be OK or is this too close to a musical instrument? Peretz Dear Peretz TY for your Q. Always nice to see that people read the KC. Whistling is allowed on Shabbos, including whistling through the agency of one’s fingers…

24 Jun 0Comments 1Like

Persian Evidence of Purim?

Dear Rabbi Simon, At a certain point in antiquity, there was extensive deliberation over whether Megillat Esther should be included in the Bible.  Detractors of the idea argued that it could unnecessarily antagonise those not favourably disposed towards Jewry.  However, proponents of its inclusion maintained that the events were already widely known throughout the civilised world; the chronicles of the…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Koshering Granite Countertops for Pesach

Dear Rabbi Simon Do you have any information on koshering granite work surfaces in the kitchen for Pesach? Thank you Grant Hi Grant See https://www.thekosherchannel.com/passover-cleaning.html#step and particularly #7, Marble Counters. Granite is the same. Covering them is popular in many circles but not actually required. If the “granite” is actually composite, ie not a single slab of polished rock but actually pieces…

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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