Shabbat

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14 May 0Comments 0Likes

Election Season: Ballot or Shabbat?

Dear Rabbi Simon, This year the EU elections for Greek expats is taking place on Shabbat.  Greek citizens in the UK will need to go to the Greek consulate and vote for the EU elections. Bearing in mind that this is an important EU election, my first question is, if I walk to the consulate in Holland Park would it be…

11 May 0Comments 0Likes

Like Peas in a Pod?

Dear Rabbi Simon We read that one is not allowed to eat peas from a pod on Shabbos? How is this different from peeling a banana on Shabbos, which is allowed? Yosef and Levia Dear Yosef & Levia TY for your sophisticated question. The Talmud (Beitzah 13b) teaches that mefarek (extracting) is a toldah (derivative) of dash (threshing). This refers…

07 May 0Comments 0Likes

Shabbat Delivery

Dear Rabbi Simon. Can I order something on Friday if it will be delivered by Saturday. Context: Amazon one day delivery. Also, if the delivery comes on Shabbos and is left outside, can you bring it in the house? Many thanks, Mandy Dear Mandy, If you have a choice, better to avoid scheduling a delivery on Shabbos. But if Amazon chooses…

05 May 0Comments 0Likes

Earliest time for Kiddush

Dear Rabbi Simon. If I don’t make it to shul on a Saturday morning, what is the earliest time I can make kiddush at home? Many thanks, Mike Dear Mike, Technically the earliest is after the Amidah for Shacharit, which can be recited any time after dawn (=72 minutes before sunrise). However it is ideal to wait for sunrise itself for Amidah.…

05 May 0Comments 0Likes

Staying out of hot water?

Dear Rabbi Simon. I wanted to consult with you about the halakhic aspects of something. At the synagogue of which I am the chairman we are due to replace a tap in the toilet. I am concerned that the current proposal of a single mixer tap is not a good idea as it would mix potentially hot/cold water, activate the…

05 May 0Comments 0Likes

Opening Cans on Shabbos

Dear Rabbi Simon, What is your opinion about opening cans on Shabbos? Kalman Dear Kalman, This is a complex question, which I will answer succinctly on this occasion. In brief, I don’t favour it, in accordance with the view of Rav Moshe Feinstein (and others). For this reason we generally don’t buy cans of beer or soft drinks for use…

30 Apr 0Comments 2Likes

Moth Deterrent

Dear Rabbi Simon I bought moth stickers, or whatever they are called, not exactly moth balls, but the effect is that they kill moths and their larvae. Having already bought them, I am now wondering if that is halakhically permissible since you are killing an insect? If so, must one remove these devices on Shabbat? The reason I bought them is that…

30 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Kosher Water Minibar

Dear Rabbi Simon, I saw this Kosher Water Minibar (https://www.kosher-water-minibar.co.uk/) advertised, and quite fancy reducing my energy bill and level of anxiety at my Shabbat urn hot water running out. I know the laws of Shabbat can be highly complex and some technological “solutions” are controversial. This product claims certification from Zomet and Institute of Science and Halacha. Is this reliable? Many thanks Mayim Hi Mayim…

30 Apr 0Comments 0Likes

Brushing Teeth on Shabbat

Dear Rabbi Simon, Do I need a special toothbrush for Shabbat? Someone told me about this. Isn’t there a dual problem with brushing your teeth with regards to “taking the bad from the good” and “leveling” (of the toothpaste)? Many thanks Elliot Dear Elliot, General “best practice” is to refrain from using toothpaste on Shabbos, even with a special toothbrush.…

16 Jan 0Comments 0Likes

Clapping on Shabbat

Dear Rabbi Simon, I have learned that there are restrictions on the use of musical instruments on Shabbat, such as guitar, flute, organ, drum, etc.  Recently, a friend told me that this extends to dancing, clapping one’s hands and even tapping on a table to the beat of a song.  Yet I know I have seen knowledgeable people doing these things.  Can…

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

Thu, 10/22 8:00 PM
30 Minutes on the Parsha
Mon, 10/26 8:00 PM
Talmud with Rashi via Zoom
Thu, 10/29 8:00 PM
30 Minutes on the Parsha