Rosh HaShanah

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01 Oct 0Comments 0Likes

Hearing the Shofar

Dear Rabbi Simon I think I will find it difficult to hear all 100 notes of the shofar due to childcare and other responsibilities. Is this something I need to repent for on Yom Kippur. It does seem a shame to begin the year with a debit in my account already. Many thanks Shifra Dear Shifra Thank you for your…

26 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Fast Approaching

Dear Rabbi Simon I fast on Tzom Gedaliah but did not know about the fast erev Rosh Hashanah (even just to midday) and feel terribly. Is it still commonly practiced? An obligation for women? Several people I asked about it did not seem to know of it. Many thanks, Dalia Dear Dalia The Fast of Gedalya is a statutory fast,…

22 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Medical Scan in the Days of Awe

Hi Rabbi Simon If you don’t mind I was hoping to ask you a question. Each year my wife Hannah has an important annual medical scan and this year it falls between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I was curious whether there is a reason to avoid having such medical investigations during this time period? I ask as during other…

09 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Can Tashlich be recited on Shabbat?

Dear Rabbi Simon, Are we allowed to say Tashlich (the brief customary New Year ritual recited in the proximity of a body of water) during Shabbat? We did not manage to accomplish this on Rosh HaShanah. Thanks & Shana Tova Mayim Hi Mayim Tashlich is not recommended for Shabbat. However, you can say Tashlich until (and including) erev Yom Kippur,…

16 Sep 0Comments 0Likes

Meeting with Royalty

Note: On Rosh HaShanah we feel acutely the Kingship of Hashem. The Talmud teaches that one should seek out an opportunity to see earthly royalty, to gain a faint, symbolic echo of the Divine Kingship. There is even a blessing to be recited on seeing a monarch (king or queen), “Who has given of His glory to flesh and blood.”…

11 Jun 0Comments 0Likes

Apples & Honey

Dear Rabbi Simon, The tradition of dipping an apple in honey on Rosh HaShanah is very well known. But I am not sure if I need to say a separate blessing on the apple, for example when it is eaten after the challah at dinner on Rosh HaShanah night. What about a blessing on the honey? Thanks for your advice.…

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

Sun, 04/27 9:00 AM
Semichas Chaver
Mon, 04/28 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom
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Sun, 05/11 9:00 AM
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