Pesach

HomeFestivals & Jewish CalendarPesach
09 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

May I recite Havdalah on Grapes?

Dear Rabbi Simon I was looking at the sugar content of the grape juice I used to say Havdalah and was wondering if there is a healthier alternative.  I am reluctant to use wine as I drive after Shabbat.  If I can say Havdalah on grape juice, why can’t I say it on grapes? Similar question for Kiddush and Seder…

23 Feb 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Kitchen Upgrade

Dear Rabbi Simon We need to replace our cooker (oven and stove top), and I was wondering what the best options are from a kashrut perspective. I know a self-cleaning oven is useful for Pesach, but is a catalytic liner acceptable (as opposed to pyrolytic)? I understand that with pyrolytic, the grease builds up on the coating, and gets burned…

23 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Slow Cooker on Pesach (Pt 3)

Dear Rabbi Simon I think I asked you about my slow cooker a while ago. I am hoping to use the slow cooker over the chag – it says “don’t use a timer” (but doesn’t say why – so I hope to try using a timer before Pesach to see what happens! If it doesn’t explode, it should be safe!). My question…

17 Mar 0Comments 0Likes

Clocks changing to BST on Yom Tov

Dear Rabbi Simon As if Pesach weren’t stressful enough…Britain is also changing the clocks to “spring forward” an hour to BST during First Seder Night! Trying to find the best halakhic response: Change the clocks before Shabbos? Can I change the time on an electric alarm clock on Yomtov? What about a manual clock? The easiest way would be to…

02 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Practical Pesach Q&A

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have a few Pesach-related questions: 1) Does one have to clean the home etc if one is travelling before Yom Tov and not returning until after the Chag? Also, what happens to bedikat chametz? 2) Where do you stand on quinoa (and the kitniyot ban) for Pesach? 3) Regarding the sale of chametz, does it include only…

02 Jul 0Comments 0Likes

Practical Pesach Questions

Dear Rabbi Simon, 1) I have just moved house and have a few questions relating to Pesach cleaning. Hob: I now have an electric hob instead of gas.  Do you just clean and turn it on high for 10 minutes or do you have to pour boiling water over it (will it crack?) Counter tops: you said we just need…

26 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Dog Food??

Dear Rabbi Simon, Interesting question from a new client with his puppy… ‘What rules apply to dog food in a strictly kosher home?’ I have always been of the opinion that as it’s the dog that’s eating the food there shouldn’t be an issue, but I think the client has a point about wet, canned food and the storage of…

24 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Koshering Granite Countertops for Pesach

Dear Rabbi Simon Do you have any information on koshering granite work surfaces in the kitchen for Pesach? Thank you Grant Hi Grant See https://www.thekosherchannel.com/passover-cleaning.html#step and particularly #7, Marble Counters. Granite is the same. Covering them is popular in many circles but not actually required. If the “granite” is actually composite, ie not a single slab of polished rock but actually pieces…

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

Mon, 04/20 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom
Mon, 04/27 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom