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

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…

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…

Laundry on Chol Hamoed

Dear Rabbi Simon Can I wash clothes needed for yom tov on chol hamoed? Thank you Lauren Hi Lauren, Thank you for your question. The simple answer is “no, you may not,” although there are limited circumstances in which this may be allowed. These include: No other clean clothes available. (Although even if this is the case, it is preferable…

Eating Matza after Pesach

Dear Rabbi Simon I hope you had a great Pesach. Here is my question: I know there are restrictions regarding eating matzah before Pesach. Is one allowed to eat matzah after Pesach? Thanks, Matt Dear Matt Matzah after Pesach is fine. In fact, some make a point of eating matzah every Shabbat until Shavuot, to give expression to the connection…

Distractions at the Seder

Dear Rabbi Simon I get distracted at the Seder as the kids need my attention and I miss parts of it.  Is it crucial for me to read all of the Haggadah, or is it enough for me to participate in the key parts and have intention to fulfil the mitzvah when I do so? Ruth Dear Ruth Thank you…

Pesach Menu Restrictions

Dear Rabbi Simon Can you please answer a question for me: How strict is the ‘no lamb on Pesach’ idea? Sarah wants to serve her meatballs at Seder which are made from a lamb and beef mince mix. And I would like to serve lamb chops at a Hol ha-Mo’ed barbecue. Are these allowed? Elchanan Dear Elchanan Lamb for Hol…

No Wine for Seder

Dear Rabbi Simon My friends and I were having an interesting conversation, but we couldn’t come to any conclusive answers. What would happen if one was unable to acquire wine on Pesach? How would they make kiddush? Would they be forced to make kiddush on matzah – and thus change the order of the seder? Or, would they make kiddush…

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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