Festivals & Jewish Calendar

Whisky Festival

Dear Rabbi Simon, Rabbi, I hope you don’t mind me asking you some interesting whisky-related questions. A year from now is the annual Feis Ile whisky festival in the faraway Scottish island of Islay. I’m planning a milestone birthday trip with some friends. We will have to be there over Shabbat for it to work. A couple of practical questions:…

Music on Lag B’Omer

Dear Rabbi Simon Please can I ask about music on the eve of Lag B’Omer? I think I once heard that one had to wait to Lag B’Omer morning to listen to music.  I am not sure if this is correct?  If it is correct, can I also ask for my daughter who is in seminary in Israel.  She would like to…

Pre-cut Vegetables on Pesach

Good morning, Rabbi Simon Sorry to trouble you. I can’t remember if we are allowed to use bags of pre-cut vegetables from quality retailers such as Marks & Spencer.  I obviously check them accordingly. I just can’t remember if we are allowed them for Pesach Perry Hi Perry Thank you for your practical question. The pitfall with these lovely pre-cut…

Chametz in Wheelie Bin

Hi Rabbi Simon Is it a problem to leave chametz in the wheelie bins before Pesach since the bins will only be collected once Pesach has begun? Binyamin Hi Binyamin Since the bins are the property of the Council, once you put chametz there it can be considered out of your possession. However, Barnet Council is also providing a special…

Cocoa Powder for Pesach

Dear Rabbi Simon, Is sugared cocoa powder, such as Cadbury’s, Kosher for Pesach? Is it like coffee or tea? Many thanks, Peter Dear Peter, Cocoa with sugar requires Pesach supervision. The US sources say that domestically produced plain cocoa powders are OK, but not from Europe! The LBD also does not approve standard cocoa powder for Pesach use. This is…

Pesach Questions

Hi Rabbi Simon I need to sell my chametz over to you, but I have a few questions just to make sure I am properly doing it. I live in a flat share and I have chametz in cupboards, fridge, freezer and some whisky in a separate cupboard and some bottles in my bedroom. I will be leaving for Pesach…

Pesach Prep

Dear Rabbi Simon, We’re beginning our Pesach prep and have a few questions; I hope you can help! 1. How does one kasher a gas-fired barbecue? 2. Does one need to kasher an electric or manual coffee bean grinder? 3. We have a new (very hot) Shabbat platta (hot plate, popular in Israel, albeit likely made in China) – which…

Making Havdalah on Beer

Dear Rabbi Simon, I just made havdalah but on 0.5 % volume beer. It is also advertised as alcohol free beer. Is this valid? Do I need to make havdalah again? Many thanks, Berel Dear Berel I am not sure if beer-drinkers consider the alcohol-free version to be completely authentic, however the distinction can be overlooked WRT חמר מדינה status.…

Using a Hotplate on Shabbat

Dear Rabbi Simon, We have begun to use a hotplate (food warmer, sometimes known by its Hebrew name platta) for hot food on Shabbat. Can you please advise how to use it in a halakhically acceptable way. Also using it with an electric time switch (colloquially know as a Shabbos clock). Thanks Philip Dear Phil Classically, a Shabbat hotplate is…

Cleaner on Yom Tov

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a cleaning lady coming on Yom Tov. (What a blessing!) Can she vacuum the carpets? Thank you so much. Valerie Dear Valerie, The halakhic problem with a vacuum cleaner is that it makes a lot of noise. This is an issue as it detracts from the Shabbos/Yom Tov atmosphere in the home, and it suggests that…

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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