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04 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Kitniot on Erev Pesach

Dear Rabbi Simon, Are my family allowed to kitniyot (eg Bamba) between burning the chametz and candle-lighting on erev Pesach? Many thanks, Eliana Hi Eliana Thank you for your question. I’m afraid not. The kitniyot restriction begins at the same time as the restriction of chametz itself. Chag Kasher Ve’Sameach Rabbi Rashi Simon

29 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Pesach Questions

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a few Pesach-related questions: Am I allowed to buy ready cut & peeled vegetables like carrots and butternut from regular supermarkets? Also, can I use my hostess trolley for Pesach (we use it every Shabbat for chametz)? It heats to about 80 C. If I am allowed to, what do I need to do to Kasher…

15 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Why Do We Eat Matzah?

Note: Our “Ask Rabbi Rashi” portal attracts questioners of all different types. It seems that the enquiry below is from a public high school student in New Jersey, USA. Dear Rabbi Simon, Why do we need to eat matzah? Thanks, Marcia Hi Marcia Thank you for your seemingly simple question, which nonetheless can give rise to an extended essay by…

01 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Intoxicating Purim?

Dear Rabbi Simon, Do we really have to drink so much on Purim that we cannot distinguish between Mordechai and Haman? I don’t think I have ever gotten that drunk. (Or if I have, I don’t remember it ?.) Lottie   Dear Lottie, The Talmud (Meg. 7b) declares, “one is obligated to drink [wine or other intoxicating beverages] until he…

01 Feb 0Comments 0Likes

New Kiddush Cup

Dear Rabbi Simon I want to get a new kiddush cup for use on Shabbat/Yom Tov, Havdalah, Seder night, etc. I found one which holds 90ml/3.04oz. Is that large enough? Many thanks, Joseph Dear Joseph Thank you for your practical question. As a matter of basic halakhah, you may use a cup of the size you mention, as you can rely on…

18 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Long Friday Nights in Scandinavia

Dear Rabbi Simon I have a question for you from the and sun-deprived north. In my city, Shabbos comes in as early as 14:30 (surreal, I know…). Friday evening prayers are at 17:30 (Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv; no Mincha). Can I make Kiddush and eat cake, babka, or kichel and herring, for example, or even bread/challah (lechem mishneh) before going…

11 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Does Alexa Observe Shabbat?

Dear Rabbi Simon I am teaching a Year 7 class about the festival of Shabbat. A question was asked relating to the use of Alexa. Can Alexa be used during this period to play music? Thank you Colin Dear Colin Thank you for your interesting and practical question. The consensus view is that use of voice-activated electronic devices like Alexa should…

21 Dec 0Comments 0Likes

Home Alone on Chanukah

Dear Rabbi Simon If I remember correctly, 1) you should wait until people are around to light Chanukah candles, and 2) if you light alone, you don’t say the berachos (blessings)? Is this correct? Thank you! Dan *** Dear Dan Thank you for your questions, the answers of which require some clarification, as follows: If your lights are visible to passers-by in the…

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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