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14 May 0Comments 0Likes

Election Season: Ballot or Shabbat?

Dear Rabbi Simon, This year the EU elections for Greek expats is taking place on Shabbat.  Greek citizens in the UK will need to go to the Greek consulate and vote for the EU elections. Bearing in mind that this is an important EU election, my first question is, if I walk to the consulate in Holland Park would it be…

11 May 0Comments 0Likes

Like Peas in a Pod?

Dear Rabbi Simon We read that one is not allowed to eat peas from a pod on Shabbos? How is this different from peeling a banana on Shabbos, which is allowed? Yosef and Levia Dear Yosef & Levia TY for your sophisticated question. The Talmud (Beitzah 13b) teaches that mefarek (extracting) is a toldah (derivative) of dash (threshing). This refers…

07 May 0Comments 0Likes

Keeping My Job – A Close Shave?

Dear Rabbi Simon, Last year, I did not shave during the “9 Days” [leading up to the Fast of 9 Av].  My boss commented that it “was not a good look for me”…the implication being that my appearance was not quite in line with the professional demeanour that is expected at my work. Although my job is not directly in jeopardy…

07 May 0Comments 0Likes

Fasting on Tisha B’Av

Note: The exchange below relates to the specific circumstances of the questioner, and is presented here for general information. For personal guidance consult your LOR (as they say in the USA). Dear Rabbi Simon, As you may remember I find it so hard to fast that I have to spend all of Yom Kippur in bed to prevent myself from…

07 May 0Comments 0Likes

Shabbat Delivery

Dear Rabbi Simon. Can I order something on Friday if it will be delivered by Saturday. Context: Amazon one day delivery. Also, if the delivery comes on Shabbos and is left outside, can you bring it in the house? Many thanks, Mandy Dear Mandy, If you have a choice, better to avoid scheduling a delivery on Shabbos. But if Amazon chooses…

05 May 0Comments 0Likes

Earliest time for Kiddush

Dear Rabbi Simon. If I don’t make it to shul on a Saturday morning, what is the earliest time I can make kiddush at home? Many thanks, Mike Dear Mike, Technically the earliest is after the Amidah for Shacharit, which can be recited any time after dawn (=72 minutes before sunrise). However it is ideal to wait for sunrise itself for Amidah.…

05 May 0Comments 0Likes

Staying out of hot water?

Dear Rabbi Simon. I wanted to consult with you about the halakhic aspects of something. At the synagogue of which I am the chairman we are due to replace a tap in the toilet. I am concerned that the current proposal of a single mixer tap is not a good idea as it would mix potentially hot/cold water, activate the…

05 May 0Comments 0Likes

Nursing and Fasting on Yom Kippur

Note: This Q&A is shared for general knowledge only. Any similar (or dissimilar) question should be discussed personally, rather than assessed based only on the particular response to the questioner below. Dear Rabbi Simon. Shanah Tovah! Having given birth recently, I’m feeling very anxious about Yom Kippur this year WRT fasting. I am currently drinking over 6 litres a day…

05 May 0Comments 0Likes

Rain in Israel during Sukkot

Dear Rabbi Simon. During Sukkot we had rain in Israel. I was very happy about it, yet I was notified with raised eyebrows that my joy was misplaced, as this is likened to spitting in the face of my master, as the midrash (or Mishnah?) states. I then learned that it is the prevailing approach, as incompatible as it may…

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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