Festivals & Jewish Calendar

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31 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Do I have to Fast on 9 Av?

Note: This Q&A exchange took place on the 8th of Av 2024. Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question about the Fast of 9th Av. I collapsed today and couldn’t eat or drink anything until some tonic water just now. Even fluids come up. I’m massively dehydrated and there’s no way I’ll be able to eat the pre-fast seudah, not even boiled…

24 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Questions for the “9 Days”

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have heard that air travel should be avoided in the Nine Days. Is it true that flying is not allowed from Rosh Hodesh (beginning of the month) until after the Fast of Av? Many thanks, Francis *** Dear Francis, For a mitzvah purpose (such as Aliyah or even visiting Israel, parents, Torah study, etc), I would…

17 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Sewing in the “Three Weeks”

Dear Rabbi Simon, What rules apply to sewing/alterations during the Three Weeks? Many thanks, Sue Dear Sue, Thank you for your question. Sewing, ie weaving or fashioning a new garment should be avoided during the period known as the Three Weeks (ie the 22 days from the Fast of 17 Tamuz until 9 Av, inclusive). If you refer only to…

21 May 0Comments 0Likes

Kiddush Levana

Dear Rabbi Simon, Today [30 March 2025] is Rosh Chodesh Nissan, but as you pointed out in shul yesterday, the new moon was already visible in Yerushalayim earlier on Shabbat morning. In view of this (excuse the pun), could we have recited Kiddush Levana (Sanctification of the New Moon) after Shabbat last night already? Lev Dear Lev Thank you for your…

14 May 0Comments 0Likes

Shabbos Crunch Time?

Dear Rabbi Simon, Am I allowed to eat leftover Matzah from Pesach instead of bread for Shabbos? Matt Hi Matt, Sure. There is no objection to using matzah (in place of challah) for Shabbos. Use whole rather than broken pieces to fulfil the mitzvah requirement of lehem mishneh. By the way, there are those who have the minhag of using…

01 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Haircuts in the Omer

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a question concerning haircuts in the Omer: I am unaware of a family minhag in this regard. My paternal great grandfather was from Courland in Latvia. What is the minhag to follow in this case, regarding haircuts, shaving, etc during the weeks between Pesach and Shavuot? Shall I observe the days from Rosh Chodesh Iyyar…

26 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Shabbat Hot Plate for Pesach

Dear Rabbi Simon, We have a new (very hot) Shabbat plattah – which we have kept covered in foil when using for Shabbat. Am I allowed to use it for milky food or—looking ahead–for Pesach, if I change the foil (which I would anyway do each time I use it)? Thanks, Paltiel Dear Paltiel If you clean the plattah and…

22 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Tenant Moving in on Shabbat

Dear Rabbi Simon I hope that you are well. Sorry to trouble you but I wondered if there is any issue with allowing a tenant moving into a rental property on a Shabbos? The contracts have been signed and payments were made two months in advance but the tenant can only move in on a Saturday. The keys would be…

04 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Warming Gravy on Shabbat

Dear Rabbi Simon A quick Shabbos question for you. What is the best way to reheat a chicken in gravy that was baked in an oven? Thanks, Shabtai Dear Shabtai Thank you for your practical and important Shabbos question. If the gravy is substantial, reheating on Shabbos poses a problem, as the accepted halakhic view is that יש בישול אחר…

16 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Etrog with Broken Pitom

Dear Rabbi Simon If the pitom [protrusion at the top of the etrog, more correctly known as shoshanta] of my etrog breaks off during hol ha-mo’ed [intermediate days of the festival], is it kosher [ie, valid] to use during the rest of Sukkot? Many thanks, Pini Dear Pini Yes, you may use it, and recite the berakhah in the usual way,…

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
Events / Calendar

Upcoming Events

Sat, 09/5 10:45 PM
Kumsitz & Late-Night Selichot
Mon, 09/7 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom
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Rosh HaShanah Inspiration with Abarbanel
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Yom Kippur Inspiration with Abarbanel
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